Description
This book is an elementary introduction to knot theory. Unlike many other books on knot theory, this book has practically no prerequisites; it requires only basic plane and spatial Euclidean geometry but no knowledge of topology or group theory. It contains the first elementary proof of the existence of the Alexander polynomial of a knot or a link based on the Conway axioms, particularly the Conway skein relation. The book also contains an elementary exposition of the Jones polynomial, HOMFLY polynomial and Vassiliev knot invariants constructed using the Kontsevich integral. Additionally, there is a lecture introducing the braid group and shows its connection with knots and links.
Other important features of the book are the large number of original illustrations, numerous exercises and the absence of any references in the first eleven lectures. The last two lectures differ from the first eleven: they comprise a sketch of non-elementary topics and a brief history of the subject, including many references.
About the Author
A. B. Sossinsky, Independent University of Moscow, Russia, and Poncelete Laboratory IUM-CNRS, Moscow, Russia.
Book Information
ISBN 9781470471514
Author A. B. Sossinsky
Format Paperback
Page Count 142
Imprint American Mathematical Society
Publisher American Mathematical Society
Other important features of the book are the large number of original illustrations, numerous exercises and the absence of any references in the first eleven lectures. The last two lectures differ from the first eleven: they comprise a sketch of non-elementary topics and a brief history of the subject, including many references.
About the Author
A. B. Sossinsky, Independent University of Moscow, Russia, and Poncelete Laboratory IUM-CNRS, Moscow, Russia.
Book Information
ISBN 9781470471514
Author A. B. Sossinsky
Format Paperback
Page Count 142
Imprint American Mathematical Society
Publisher American Mathematical Society
