Related papers: The crossing number of composite knots

Let $c(K)$ denote the crossing number of a knot $K$ and let $K_1\# K_2$ denote the connected sum of two oriented knots $K_1$ and $K_2$. It is a very old unsolved question that whether $c(K_1\# K_2)=c(K_1)+c(K_2)$. In this paper we show that…

We study the minimal crossing number $c(K_{1}\# K_{2})$ of composite knots $K_{1}\# K_{2}$, where $K_1$ and $K_2$ are prime, by relating it to the minimal crossing number of spatial graphs, in particular the $2n$-theta curve…

The connected sum of two flat virtual knots depends on the choice of diagrams and basepoints. We show that any minimal crossing diagram of a composite flat virtual knot is a connected sum diagram. We also show the crossing number of flat…

For a knot K, the concordance crosscap number, c(K), is the minimum crosscap number among all knots concordant to K. Building on work of G. Zhang, which studied the determinants of knots with c(K) < 2, we apply the Alexander polynomial to…

We show that the knots $K\in\{4_1,5_1\}$ can be paired with a corresponding knot $K^\prime$ such that $u(K\#K^\prime)<u(K)+u(K^\prime)$. As a consequence unknotting number fails to be additive for these knots. We also provide a candidate…

Symmetries of knots have been studied extensively, and strongly invertible knots are one of them. Lamm defined the equivariant crossing number $c_t(K)$, the minimum crossing number among all symmetric diagrams for a strongly invertible knot…

We provide a new proof of the following results of H. Schubert: If K is a satellite knot with companion J and pattern L that lies in a solid torus T in which it has index k, then the bridge numbers satisfy the following: 1) The bridge…

An equilateral stick number $s_{=}(K)$ of a knot $K$ is defined to be the minimal number of sticks required to construct a polygonal knot of $K$ which consists of equal length sticks. Rawdon and Scharein [12] found upper bounds for the…

In 2013, Adams introduced the $n$-crossing number of a knot $K$, denoted by $c_n(K)$. Inequalities between the $2$-, $3$-, $4$-, and $5$-crossing numbers have been previously established. We prove $c_9(K)\leq c_3(K)-2$ for all knots $K$…

A triple crossing is a crossing in a projection of a knot or link that has three strands of the knot passing straight through it. A triple crossing projection is a projection such that all of the crossings are triple crossings. We prove…

Suppose that there exists an epimorphism from the knot group of a $2$-bridge knot $K$ onto that of another knot $K'$. In this paper, we study the relationship between their crossing numbers $c(K)$ and $c(K')$. Especially it is shown that…

A multi-crossing (or n-crossing) is a singular point in a projection at which n strands cross so that each strand bisects the crossing. We generalize the classic result of Kauffman, Murasugi, and Thistlethwaite, which gives the upper bound…

A well-known conjecture in knot theory says that the percentage of hyperbolic knots amongst all of the prime knots of $n$ or fewer crossings approaches $100$ as $n$ approaches infinity. In this paper, it is proved that this conjecture…

Let $K$ be a tunnel number two knot. Then, by considering the $(g, b)$-decompositions, $K$ is one of (3, 0)-, (2, 1)-, (1, 2)- or (0, 3)-knots. In the present paper, we analyze the connected sum summands of composite tunnel number two knots…

We use the degree of the colored Jones knot polynomials to show that the crossing number of a $(p,q)$-cable of an adequate knot with crossing number $c$ is larger than $q^2\, c$. As an application we determine the crossing number of…

Negami found an upper bound on the stick number $s(K)$ of a nontrivial knot $K$ in terms of the minimal crossing number $c(K)$ of the knot which is $s(K) \leq 2 c(K)$. Furthermore McCabe proved $s(K) \leq c(K) + 3$ for a $2$-bridge knot or…

A long standing conjecture states that the ropelength of any alternating knot is at least proportional to its crossing number. In this paper we prove that this conjecture is true. That is, there exists a constant $b_0>0$ such that $R(K)\ge…

Given a diagram $D$ of a knot $K$, we consider the number $c(D)$ of crossings and the number $b(D)$ of overpasses of $D$. We show that, if $D$ is a diagram of a nontrivial knot $K$ whose number $c(D)$ of crossings is minimal, then…

We prove the nugatory crossing conjecture for fibered knots. We also show that if a knot $K$ is $n$-adjacent to a fibered knot $K'$, for some $n>1$, then either the genus of $K$ is larger than that of $K'$ or $K$ is isotopic to $K'$.

This paper is about the clock number of a knot. First we define the clock number by using states of a knot defined by Kauffman. Next we show that if K is a prime knot, its clock number is greater than or equal to its crossing number.…