Fixed Points of Augmented Generalized Happy Functions II: Oases and Mirages

Abstract

An augmented generalized happy function $S_{[c,b]}$ maps a positive integer to the sum of the squares of its base $b$ digits plus $c$. For $b\ge 2$ and $k\in {\mathbb{Z}}^{+}$, a $k$-desert base $b$ is a set of $k$ consecutive non-negative integers $c$ for each of which $S_{[c,b]}$ has no fixed points. In this paper, we examine a complementary notion, a $k$-oasis base $b$, which we define to be a set of $k$ consecutive non-negative integers $c$ for each of which $S_{[c,b]}$ has a fixed point. In particular, after proving some basic properties of oases base $b$, we compute bounds on the lengths of oases base $b$ and compute the minimal examples of maximal length oases base $b$ for small values of $b$.