A255198 Let EKG-n denote the EKG sequence (A064413) started with n rather than 2, and suppose EKG-n first merges with some other EKG-i (i >= 2) sequence after f(n) (= A255583(n)) steps; then a(n) = number of i such that EKG-i meets EKG-n after f(n) steps.

1, 1, 1, 4, 1, 6, 2, 2, 5

Offset: 2

Author

Gordon Hamilton, Feb 16 2015

Keywords

• nonn
• more

Comments

This sequence can be used in a classroom to introduce students to divisors.

For an explanatory video, see the Youtube link.

EKG-5 merges with EKG-2 after three steps, so some care is needed in the definition. Perhaps the offset should be 3 rather than 2? - N. J. A. Sloane, Feb 24 2015

Merging means that the sequences are identical for all future steps. EKG-2 and EKG-5 merge at step 44. From then on the sequences are identical.

EKG-3 and EKG-5 (below) do not merge at step 3, because the sequences are not identical from that point forward.

Examples

			a(5) = 4 because the EKG sequence starting with 5 (EKG-5, A169841) starts coinciding with sequences EKG-3, EKG-6, EKG-9 and EKG-12 simultaneously (when all sequences hit 18).
EKG-3:  3, 6, 2, 4, 8, 10, 5, 15, 9, 12, 14, 7, 21, 18, 16, 20, 22, 11, ... (A169837)
EKG-6:  6, 2, 4, 8, 10, 5, 15, 3, 9, 12, 14, 7, 21, 18, 16, 20, 22, 11, ... (A169843)
EKG-9:  9, 3, 6, 2, 4, 8, 10, 5, 15, 12, 14, 7, 21, 18, 16, 20, 22, 11, ... (A169849)
EKG-12: 12, 2, 4, 6, 3, 9, 15, 5, 10, 8, 14, 7, 21, 18, 16, 20, 22, 11, ... (A169855)
EKG-5:  5, 10, 2, 4, 6, 3, 9, 12, 8, 14, 7, 21, 15, 18, 16, 20, 22, 11, ... (A169841)
a(12) = 3 because the EKG sequence starting with 12 (EKG-12, A169855) starts coinciding with sequences EKG-3, EKG-6, and EKG-9 simultaneously (when all sequences hit 14).
		

Links

• Gordon Hamilton, The EKG Sequence and the Tree of Numbers, Oct 2013.

Crossrefs

Cf. A064413, A169837, A169841, A169843, A169849, A169857, A255583.

A255524 gives the smallest closest neighbor.