Lesson plan
Split link
In the mathematical field of knot theory, a split link is a link that has a (topological) 2-sphere in its complement separating one or more link components from the others. A split link is said to be splittable, and a link that is not split is called a non-split link or not splittable. Whether a link is split or non-split corresponds to whether the link complement is reducible or irreducible as a 3-manifold. A link with an alternating diagram, i.e. an alternating link, will be non-split if and only if this diagram is connected. This is a result of the work of William Menasco. A split link has many connected, non-alternating link diagrams.
Article summary
In the mathematical field of knot theory, a split link is a link that has a (topological) 2-sphere in its complement separating one or more link components from the others. A split link is said to be splittable, and a link that is not split is called a non-split link or not splittable. Whether a link is split or non-split corresponds to whether the link complement is reducible or irreducible as a 3-manifold. A link with an alternating diagram, i.e. an alternating link, will be non-split if and only if this diagram is connected. This is a result of the work of William Menasco. A split link has many connected, non-alternating link diagrams.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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