The 3x+1 Semigroup

Abstract

The 3x+1 semigroup is the multiplicative semigroup generated by the rational numbers of form (2k+1)/(3k+2) for non-negative k, together with 2. This semigroup encodes backward iteration under the 3x+1 map, and the 3x+1 conjecture implies that it contains every positive integer. We prove this is the case, and show that this semigroup consists of all positive rational numbers a/b such that 3 does not divide b.