How to stop Nest when the next element is already in the list

Question

step[n_] := 
  step[n] = Plus @@ Delete[Divisors[n], Length[Divisors[n]]];

maxLength = 0;
For[n = 220, n < 223, n++,
 chain = NestWhileList[step, n, # > 1 && # < 1000000 &];
 chain = Delete[chain, Length[chain]];
 If[Length[chain] > maxLength,
  maxLength = Length[chain];
  bestN = Min[chain];,
  Nothing[]
  ]
 ]

does not work, I guess because n=220 indeed produces an infinite List (am1c4ble cha1n) which ist precisely what I am looking for. But how do I test for that, so how do I add && # is not part of chain already?

Or am I assuming what the problem is incorrectly? Working test for example with n=221, n<223 terminating and having the correct chain

Have you considered using the fourth argument of NestWhileList, All? This would supply you with the information you need to check if # has appeared previously. — C. E., Jul 15 '16 at 15:03
obviously, just did not mention it in order to not index it in search engines - also I beblieve the p0j3ct 3u13r is to sensitive about that. Who wants to cheat ... have at it... — Erik Itter, Jul 15 '16 at 19:31
no, do not get how to use it with All
NestWhileList[step, 222, # > 1 && # < 1000000 &, All] already seems to be an infinite loop — Erik Itter, Jul 15 '16 at 19:38
A single piece of my solution from six years ago: NestWhileList[ds, n, Signature@{1, n, ##2} =!= 0 &, All] where ds is similar to your step. I used Signature to check for duplicates. One could also make use of UnsameQ or the new-in-10 DuplicateFreeQ with different performance profiles. (6745) I'll leave the rest for you to figure out. — Mr.Wizard, Jul 16 '16 at 02:39

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 16 '16 at 15:30

2

C.E.:

using the fourth argument of NestWhileList, All

which solves the example with Mr.Wizard:

NestWhileList[step, n, Signature@{1, n, ##2} =!= 0 &, All]

edited Jul 16 '16 at 15:30

J. M.'s missing motivation

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answered Jul 16 '16 at 15:27

Erik Itter

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if this should still not be appropriate how do I need to proceed to mark the question as answered? – Erik Itter Jul 16 '16 at 15:29
you deleted my answere, that I put there to mark it as answered refering to the answers provided as comments. – Erik Itter Jul 16 '16 at 15:31
As I said, your previous post was not an answer in any way. This one is much better. (In any event, see this meta thread.) – J. M.'s missing motivation Jul 16 '16 at 15:32

How to stop Nest when the next element is already in the list

1 Answers1