Applegate, David L.; Havermann, Hans; Selcoe, Robert G.; Shevelev, Vladimir; Sloane, N.J.A.; Zumkeller, Reinhard
The Yellowstone permutation
J. Integer Seq. 18(6), Article 15.6.7, 13 p., electronic only (2015)
Summary
Summary: Define a sequence of positive integers by the rule that $a(n) = n$ for $1 \le n \le 3$, and for $n \ge 4, a(n)$ is the smallest number not already in the sequence which has a common factor with $a(n - 2)$ but is relatively prime to $a(n - 1)$. We show that this is a permutation of the positive integers. The remarkable graph of this sequence consists of runs of alternating even and odd numbers, interrupted by small downward spikes followed by large upward spikes, suggesting the eruption of geysers in Yellowstone National Park. On a larger scale the points appear to lie on infinitely many distinct curves. There are several unanswered questions concerning the locations of these spikes and the equations for these curves.
Mathematics Subject Classification
11B83, 11Bxx, 11B75
Keywords/Phrases
number sequence, EKG sequence, permutation of natural numbers