文档介绍：THE MATHEMATICAL THEORY OF
KNOTS AND BRAIDS
An Introduction
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
NORTH-HOLLAND
MATHEMATICS STUDIES 82
The Mathematical Theory of
Knots and Braids
An Introduction
SIEGFRIED MORAN
University of Kent at Canterbuy
1983
NORTH-HOLLAND - AMSTERDAM NEW YORK OXFORD
Elsevier Science Publishers B. V.,1983
All rights reserved. Nopart of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
ISBN: 0 444 86714 7
Publishers:
ELSEVIER SCIENCE PUBLISHERS .
1991
1000 BZ Amsterdam
herlands
Sole distributors for the Canada:
ELSEVIER SCIENCE PANY, INC.
52 Vanderbilt Avenue
NewYork,. 10017
.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Puhlicaiion Data
bran, Siegfried.
The mathematical theory of knots and braids.
(North-Holland mathematics studies ; v. 82)
Bibliography: p.
Includes index.
1. Knot theory. 2. Braid theory. I. Title.
11. Series: North-Holland mathemstic6 studies ; 82.
1983 514'.224 83-Il430
ISBN 0-444-96714-7
PRINTED IN HERLANDS
To the Mathematicians
James Waddell Alexander 1888-1971
Emil Artin 1898-1962
Ralph Hartzler Fox 1913-1973
Christos Demetriou Papakyriakopoulos 1914-1976
and Members of my Family
Ruth, Simon, Matthias, ha,Roberta.
vi i
"The Incas had another method for knowing and calculating the amount
of the provisions contributed in the provinces ... and the method was so
good and subtle, that in ingenuity it exceeded the carastes which the
Mexicans used to make their calculations and business transactions : these
were the quipus, which are long strands of knotted cords. Those who were
accountants and knew binations of the knots, gave account by means
of them of the disbursements made, or of other things that might have