12143

12143 is a five-digit number that has appeared in various contexts across mathematics, computing, and popular culture. It is notable primarily for its appearance in the context of the *Collatz conjecture*, a famous unsolved problem in mathematics.

The Collatz conjecture involves a sequence generated from any positive integer. For an odd number, the sequence is defined by multiplying it by three and adding one (3n + 1), while for an even number, it is divided by two (n/2). The conjecture posits that this process will eventually reach the number 1 for any starting positive integer. The number 12143 is significant because it is one of the largest known starting numbers that requires the most iterations to reach 1 under this process. As of current research, it takes 1,523 steps for the sequence beginning at 12143 to reach 1, making it one of the longest-known chains in the Collatz conjecture.

Beyond mathematics, 12143 has minimal cultural or practical significance. It does not correspond to any widely recognized dates, events, or identifiers in everyday life. However, its inclusion in discussions of the Collatz conjecture highlights its relevance in theoretical mathematics and computational studies.

Researchers continue to explore the conjecture, and while 12143 remains an interesting case, it is not unique in its complexity. The conjecture itself remains unproven, and its resolution could have profound implications for number theory.