Tangle sums and factorization of A-polynomials (Q887789)

This paper compares the factorization of A-polynomials with the existence of peripheral structure preserving epimorphisms between two knot groups, explaining most examples through 10 crossings with a construction involving ``marked tangles'' and showing that while epimorphism implies factorization, the converse fails for infinitely many examples. A factor table is provided for the A- and Alexander polynomials of Montesinos knots constructed by summing 3 tangles, 2 of which are mirrors of each other. Wisely, the authors make no claim that their table is complete.