A Knotty Problem

Bob Mehew

Well-known member
I am after someone who has some expertise in the branch of mathematics known as knot theory.  Basically I have two similar knots and I can't make up my mind if they do or don't 'fall out' if one undresses the knots.  (Think of a simple loop and a overhand knot; the loop will fall out whilst the overhand knot will remain if you shake the rope.)  Is there a caver who has some experience of this specialist field, or even knows someone who does who would be prepared to help?
 

Fulk

Well-known member
This is probably a very simplistic answer ? but, Bob, why don't you just tie the knots, 'undress' (whatever that might mean) them, give 'em a good shake and see what happens?
 

JasonC

Well-known member
I was going to say the same as Fulk - given that you have just two knots (rather than an infinite number of them, such as mathematicians usually like to consider), I would have thought giving them a good fiddle would provide an answer - but I'm sure you've tried that already!

To add to Ari's link, here is another on the subject: https://knotplot.com/knot-theory/  which includes a rather nice video of a fearsome-looking knot 'falling-out'.
 

Bob Mehew

Well-known member
Thanks for the comments, they have been helpful.  I have pm Ari but given our lack of knowledge, I don't wish to start a debate on the forum without some decent facts.  So please forgive me for not divulging which knots I am talking about. 
 

PeteHall

Moderator
A housemate of mine at university did a PhD in "string theory" but I have no idea what that is or if it relates to actual string or knots...  :confused:
 

JasonC

Well-known member
PeteHall said:
A housemate of mine at university did a PhD in "string theory" but I have no idea what that is or if it relates to actual string or knots... 

Knot theory is maths, String theory is physics (one might say Speculative Physics),  so likely to be even less useful to Bob than the former.
 

mikem

Well-known member
https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/knot_theory_in_practice_-_studying_the_mechanics_of_knots-12570
 
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