No label defined (Q4233259)

\textit{M. Scharlemann} and \textit{Y.-Q. Wu} [J. Aust. Math. Soc., Ser. A 55, No. 1, 72-89 (1993; Zbl 0802.57005)] showed that if \(M\) is a hyperbolic 3-manifold, and \(\alpha, \beta\) are essential simple closed curves on a non-torus boundary of \(M\), such that \(M[\alpha]\) is reducible and \(M[\beta]\) is \(\partial\)-reducible, then either \(\Delta(\alpha,\beta) = 0\) or there is a once-punctured torus \(P\) in \(\partial M\) containing both \(\alpha\) and \(\beta.\) They pointed out that a similar result does not hold in general, and asked if it is true if both of the resulting manifolds are reducible or \(\partial\)-reducible. The authors give a partial answer here, proving: Suppose \(M\) is a hyperbolic 3-manifold, and \(\alpha, \beta\) are essential simple closed curves on a non-torus boundary of \(M\), such that both \(M[\alpha]\) and \(M[\beta]\) are reducible. Furthermore, assume that one of \(M[\alpha]\) and \(M[\beta]\) contains a 2-sphere not bounding a rational homology ball. Then either \(\Delta(\alpha, \beta) = 0\) or there is a once-punctured torus \(P\) in \(\partial M\) containing both \(\alpha\) and \(\beta.\)