A volumish theorem for the Jones polynomial of alternating knots (Q952971)

The present paper is inspired by the desire for a geometrical or topological interpretation for the Jones polynomial. In this setting, the \textit{Volume Conjecture} states that the coloured Jones polynomial of a knot \(K\) (which is given by the Jones polynomial and the Jones polynomial of cablings of \(K\)) determines the Gromov norm of the knot complement of \(K\), and hence -- for hyperbolic knots -- the hyperbolic volume: see [\textit{H. Murakami} and \textit{J. Murakami}, Acta Math. 186, No. 1, 85--104 (2001; Zbl 0983.57009)]. In the present paper the authors prove a \textit{Volumish Theorem} for alternating knots in terms of the Jones polynomial, rather than the coloured Jones polynomial: the ratio of the volume and certain sums of coefficients of the Jones polynomial is bounded from above and from below by constants. The proof of the Volumish Theorem makes use of a result by \textit{M. Lackenby} in [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., III. Ser. 88, No.~1, 204--224 (2004; Zbl 1041.57002)] (see also [\textit{I. Agol, P. A. Storm, W. P. Thurston} and \textit{N. Dunfield}, J. Am. Math. Soc. 20, No. 4, 1053--1077 (2007; Zbl 1155.58016)] for an improvement). The paper also contains some numerical data on the relation between other coefficients and the hyperbolic volume, for both alternating and non-alternating knots. These data give some hope for a Volumish Theorem for non-alternating knots, as well.