problem has some interesting connections to ergodic theory, because
the function T extends to a measure-preserving function on the 2-adic
integers
defined with respect to the 2-adic measure.
To explain this, I need some basic facts about the 2-adic integers
,
cf. [14], [50].
The 2-adic integers
consist of all series
where the
are called the 2- adic digits of
.
One can define congruences
on
by
if the first k 2-adic digits of
and
agree.
Addition and multiplication on
are given by
The 2- adic valuation
on
is given by
and for
by
, where
is the
first nonzero 2-adic digit of
.
The valuation
induces a metric d on
defined by
As a topological space
is compact and complete with respect to the metric
d; a basis of open sets for this topology is given by the 2- adic discs of radius
about
:
Finally one may consistently define the 2- adic measure
on
so that
in particular
.
The integers
are a subset of
; for example
Now one can extend the definition of the function
given by (2.1) to
by