Ducci on $\mathbb{Z}_m^3$ and the Max Period

Abstract

Let $D(x_1, x_2, ..., x_n)=(x_1+x_2 \;\text{mod} \; m, x_2+x_3 \; \text{mod} \; m, ..., x_n+x_1 \; \text{mod} \; m)$ where $D \in End(\mathbb{Z}_m^n)$ be the Ducci function. The sequence $\{D^k(\mathbf{u})\}_{k=0}^{\infty}$ will eventually enter a cycle. If $n=3$, we aim to establish the longest a cycle can be for a given $m$.