Hoste's conjecture and roots of link polynomials (Q1653318)

A motivating force for the author's results is the conjecture of Hoste that any root of the Alexander polynomial of an alternating knot has real part \(> -1\). In this regard, theorems are proved concerning the location of roots of that polynomial in the cases of 2-bridge (rational) knots (or links), various classes of Montesinos knots and alternating 3-braid links. For example: If \(z\) is a root of the Alexander polynomial of a 2-bridge (rational) knot or link then a short proof demonstrates \[ |z^{1/2}-z^{-1/2}| < 2. \] This inequality is also proved to hold for certain Montesinos links. For a (non-split) 3-braid alternating knot or link the same inequality holds with \(2.45317\) replacing \(2\) on the right hand side. Letting \(w=z^{1/2}-z^{-1/2}\) some other Montesinos links are shown to satisfy the weaker condition \(|w|< 2\) or \(|ln(w^2)| < 2|w|/|e|\) where \(e\) is the integer part of the continued fraction associated with the Montesinos rational link. If in addition the link is alternating, then \(|w|< 2\) or \(\Re e(w^2) > - 2\). Other results, some similar to the above are obtained for a variety of other Montesinos links, e.g. the zeros of the polynomial of a simply alternating Montesinos knot have have real part \( > -3/2\). Results improve upon earlier estimates by \textit{L. Lyubich} and \textit{K. Murasugi} [Topology Appl. 159, No. 1, 290--303 (2012; Zbl 1251.57011)], of upper and lower bounds for the real part of a zero of the Alexander polynomial of a 2-bridge (rational) knot or link. Interesting use is made of the Limaçon of Pascal.