Related papers: Counterexamples to the quadrisecant approximation …
A {\it stuck knot} is a knot diagram containing designated crossings, called {\it stuck crossings}, whose incident strands are required to remain locally non-separable. These rigidity constraints restrict the allowable ambient isotopies and…
We classify graphs that are 0, 1, or 2 edges short of being complete partite graphs with respect to intrinsic linking and intrinsic knotting. In addition, we classify intrinsic knotting of graphs on 8 vertices. For graphs in these families,…
We introduce new sufficient conditions for intrinsic knotting and linking. A graph on n vertices with at least 4n-9 edges is intrinsically linked. A graph on n vertices with at least 5n-14 edges is intrinsically knotted. We also classify…
A regular $n$-gon inscribing a knot is a sequence of $n$ points on a knot, such that the distances between adjacent points are all the same. It is shown that any smooth knot is inscribed by a regular $n$-gon for any $n$.
Let $u(K)$ and $g(K)$ denote the unknotting number and the genus of a knot $K$, respectively. For a 3-braid knot $K$, we show that $u(K)\le g(K)$ holds, and that if $u(K)=g(K)$ then $K$ is either a 2-braid knot, a connected sum of two…
This paper introduces the concept of a Fourier knot. A Fourier knot is a knot that is represented by a parametrized curve in three dimensional space such that the coordinate functions are finite Fourier series in the parameter. The…
We demonstrate an infinite family of pseudoline arrangements, in which an arrangement of n pseudolines has no member incident to more than 4n/9 points of intersection. This shows the "Strong Dirac" conjecture to be false for pseudolines. We…
We study the formation of knots on a macroscopic ball-chain, which is shaken on a horizontal plate at 12 times the acceleration of gravity. We find that above a certain critical length, the knotting probability is independent of chain…
We introduce an alternative stratification of knots: by the size of lattice on which a knot can be first met. Using this classification, we find ratio of unknots and knots with more than 10 minimal crossings inside different lattices and…
It has been conjectured that the geometric invariant of knots in 3-space called the width is nearly additive. That is, letting w(K) in N denote the width of a knot K in S^3, the conjecture is that w(K # K') = w(K) + w(K') - 2. We give an…
These notes are based on the lectures given by the author during Winter Braids IX in Reims in March 2019. We discuss slice knots and why they are interesting, as well as some ways to decide if a given knot is or is not slice. We describe…
Symmetry of geometrical figures is reflected in regularities of their algebraic invariants. Algebraic regularities are often preserved when the geometrical figure is topologically deformed. The most natural, intuitively simple but…
Finding the intersection of two conics is a commonly occurring problem. For example, it occurs when identifying patterns of craters on the lunar surface, detecting the orientation of a face from a single image, or estimating the attitude of…
We show that every two-bridge knot $K$ of crossing number $N$ admits a polynomial parametrization $x=T_3(t), y = T_b(t), z =C(t)$ where $T_k(t)$ are the Chebyshev polynomials and $b+\deg C = 3N$. If $C (t)= T_c(t)$ is a Chebyshev…
A Chebyshev knot is a knot which admits a parametrization of the form $ x(t)=T_a(t); \ y(t)=T_b(t) ; \ z(t)= T_c(t + \phi), $ where $a,b,c$ are pairwise coprime, $T_n(t)$ is the Chebyshev polynomial of degree $n,$ and $\phi \in \RR .$…
We formulate the Secant Conjecture, which is a generalization of the Shapiro Conjecture for Grassmannians. It asserts that an intersection of Schubert varieties in a Grassmannian is transverse with all points real, if the flags defining the…
We prove that if the order of the first homology of the 2-fold branched cover of a knot K in the 3-sphere is given by pm where p is a prime congruent to 3 mod 4 and gcd(p,m) =1, then K is of infinite order in the knot concordance group.…
The transient number of a knot K, denoted tr(K), is the minimal number of simple arcs that have to be attached to K, in order that K can be homotoped to a trivial knot in a regular neighborhood of the union of K and the arcs. We give a…
A Chebyshev curve C(a,b,c,\phi) has a parametrization of the form x(t)=Ta(t); y(t)=T_b(t) ; z(t)= Tc(t + \phi), where a,b,c are integers, Tn(t) is the Chebyshev polynomial of degree n and \phi \in \RR. When C(a,b,c,\phi) has no double…
Families of alternating knots (links) and tangles are studied using as building block the conway defined as the twisting of two strands. The regular representation of knots assumes the projection has the minimal number of overpassings, and…