Try this. Take any integer like 1, 2, 3, or 18. If it is odd, multiply it by 3 and add 1. If it is even, divide it by 2. Repeat with your new number. Stop when you notice a pattern.Try another integer and another. Even try the first 20 or so.What do you see?Here, let me show you a few examples:4 → 2 → 1 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 17 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1Strangely enough, all of these sequences end in 4 → 2 → 1, and 1*3 + 1 is 4 so these cycles begin