EPISODE · Aug 26, 2025 · 5 MIN
OEIS A000319: Tangent Iteration
from Intellectually Curious · host Mike Breault
We unpack the deceptively simple rule An = floor(Bn) with B0 = 1 and Bn = tan(Bn−1). Tangent iteration is brutally sensitive to initial data and rounding, forcing extreme precision (thousands of digits) and even interval arithmetic to certify terms. We'll trace early terms, discuss computation milestones (over 2 million terms computed), and survey the central open question: does 319 ever occur? We'll also note connections to related sequences A053169 and A053873, and reflect on how a tiny rule can generate enormous complexity.Note: This podcast was AI-generated, and sometimes AI can make mistakes. Please double-check any critical information.Sponsored by Embersilk LLC
What this episode covers
We unpack the deceptively simple rule An = floor(Bn) with B0 = 1 and Bn = tan(Bn−1). Tangent iteration is brutally sensitive to initial data and rounding, forcing extreme precision (thousands of digits) and even interval arithmetic to certify terms. We'll trace early terms, discuss computation milestones (over 2 million terms computed), and survey the central open question: does 319 ever occur? We'll also note connections to related sequences A053169 and A053873, and reflect on how a tiny rul...
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OEIS A000319: Tangent Iteration
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