Tangle sums and factorization of A-polynomials

From MaRDI portal



Abstract: We show that there exist infinitely many examples of pairs of knots, K_1 and K_2, that have no epimorphism pi1(S3setminusK1)opi1(S3setminusK2) preserving peripheral structure although their A-polynomials have the factorization AK2(L,M)midAK1(L,M). Our construction accounts for most of the known factorizations of this form for knots with 10 or fewer crossings. In particular, we conclude that while an epimorphism will lead to a factorization of A-polynomials, the converse generally fails.


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.





Describes a project that uses

Uses Software






This page was built for publication: Tangle sums and factorization of A-polynomials

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q887789)