collatz_Sequence.py

"""Collatz Sequence, by Al Sweigart al@investwithpython.com
Generates numbers for the Collatz sequence, given a starting number.
More info at: https://en.wilkipedia.org/wiki/collatz_comjecture
View this code at https://nostarch.com/big-book-small-python-projects
Tags: tiny, beginner, math"""

import sys, time

print('''Collatz Sequence, or, the #n +1 problem
By Al Sweigart al@inventwithpython.com

The Collatz sequence is a sequence of numbers produced from a starting 
number n, following three rules:

1) If n is even, the next number n is n / 2.
2) If n is odd, the next number n is n * 3 + 1.
3) If n is 1, stop. Otherwise, repeat.

it is generally thought, but so far not mathematically proven, that
every starting number eventually terminates at 1.
''')

print('Enter a starting number (greater than 0) or QUIT:')
response = input('> ')

if not response.isdecimal() or response == '0':
    print('You must enter an interger greater than 0.')
    sys.exit()

n = int(response)
print(n, end='', flush=True)
while n != 1:
    if n % 2 == 0: #if n is even ...
        n = n // 2
    else: # Otherwise, n is odd... 
        n = 3 * n + 1

    print(', ' + str(n), end='', flush=True)
    time.sleep(0.1)
print()