we propose 2^(1/3) ~= 1.2599210498948731647672106072782284 (previously) to be the simplest number that looks random in any base and also in its simple continued fraction.
define the simpleness of a number as the ease of computing it to arbitrary precision in any base. for cbrt(2), Newton's method suffices. in contrast, high precision calculation of pi is a more complicated affair. I think it will be easy to exceed record pi calculations with those of cube root of 2.
previously, on the ease of computing the square root of 0.5, which has a periodic simple continued fraction.
the cube root of two does have a general continued fraction with a non-random looking form, as does pi. what is the simplest number which has no non-random looking general continued fraction? if a number looks non-random in some base, e.g., Liouville's constant, can it always be converted into a non-random looking general continued fraction? many numbers with compact infinite series can be converted into non-random looking general continued fractions.
another candidate avoiding a non-random looking simple continued fraction: sqrt(2)+sqrt(3) ~= 3.1462643699419723423291350657155704 . however, this feels like a cheating way of avoiding a periodic simple continued fraction, and there is no longer an easy formula to check the result.
3^(1/3) ~= 1.442249570307408382 has a nice symmetry to it. 10^(1/3) ~= 2.15443469 seems appropriate for calculating its digits or continued fraction in base 10.
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