Matching numbers?

Question

So the attached code works properly as coded but I was wondering if there was a way to match a and b across different loops. For example, entering 7 and 64 will loop much longer than necessary and should reveal a match at 16 but because the amount of loop calculations varies between the two numbers, the matches are a couple steps off beat. Any suggestions?
https://code.sololearn.com/cROiVfiW5vpP/?ref=app

Answer 1

Do you have some link or document that documents the algorithm or rules? Why 16 and not 1, 2, 4, or 8 that your program currently list for both numbers?

Answer 2

If you maintain a sorted list of all numbers generated, until a duplicate is seen, for both numbers, you could find 16 as the highest match between them.