Genera, band sum of knots and Vassiliev invariants (Q2381643)

For any \(n\in {\mathcal N}\), two knots \(K\) and \(L\) are \(n\)-equivalent if they can not be distinguished by Vassiliev invariants of order \(\leq n\). In this paper the author shows that for every knot \(K\) with genus \(g(K)\) and for any \(n\in {\mathcal N}\) and \(m\geq g(K)\) there exists a prime knot \(L\) which is \(n\)-equivalent to \(K\) and has \(g(L)=m\). The proof is an explicit construction of \(L\) as a band sum of knots. The primality and the genus of the band sum follow from results of \textit{M. Eudave-Muñoz} [Pac. J. Math. 139, No. 1, 53--57 (1989; Zbl 0688.57005)] and \textit{D. Gabai} [Topology 26, 209--210 (1987; Zbl 0621.57004)]. This shows that the genus is independent of Vassiliev invariants of bounded degree. The author points out the similar results are given for other classical knot invariants such as the unknotting number, the 4-ball genus and the Tristram-Levine signature (and thus for the usual signature) by \textit{A. Stoimenow} [Topology 42, No. 1, 227--241 (2003; Zbl 1019.57003) and Adv. Math. 194, No. 2, 463--484 (2005; Zbl 1117.57015)].