Abstract

The Collatz-Problem postulates that any given number will finally end in the same repeating pattern of (4,2,1). - Start with any natural number n > 0 - If n is even divide it by 2 -> n/2 - If n is odd multiply it by 3 and add 1 - Repeat this pattern So far every number which was applied to this iterative rules ended in the pattern of (4,2,1) This might seem familiar to the way we treat our facts and questions because if you start with any fact like "There is life on planet earth" Start with any given fact. Then ask the following questions: When did this or that happen, when did it start to exist,? Where do we find it? Where does it come from? How does this or that function?... Why? Why is this or that like it is?<- often this question can not be answered easily like the other questions Questions will come up like "Where do we find life on planet earth?" "How does the life on earth function?" "When did the life on planet earth start" Although we are answering the questions due to science, experiments, theories all questions seem finally to end in the "why" question. "Why is there life on earth?" We might be able at the beginning to answer/calculate answers or results but at the end there will always occur the iterative question of "Why is something like it is?" This question lead us to no definite answer. It seems to be an insurmountable question. Links between the Collatz-Problem in mathematics and in linguistics seem to be the simplicity and the iterative character leading to series of numbers in mathematics and to deeper understanding in linguistics. Simple iterative rules create complex series and simple questions search complex answers. The problem to answer a "why" question definitely seems to intertwine with the uncertainty of the and complexity of the Collatz-Problem.