Knot (mathematics)
In mathematics, a knot is an embedding of a circle in 3-dimensional Euclidean space, R3, considered up to continuous deformations (isotopies). A crucial difference between the standard mathematical and conventional notions of a knot is that mathematical knots are closed—there are no ends to tie or untie on a mathematical knot. Physical properties such as friction and thickness also do not apply, although there are mathematical definitions of a knot that take such properties into account. The term knot is also applied to embeddings of in, especially in the case . The branch of mathematics that studies knots is known as knot theory.
Read more about Knot (mathematics): Formal Definition, Types of Knots, Generalization
Famous quotes containing the word knot:
“When my lover came to bed,
the knot came untied
all by itself.
My dress,
held up by the strings of a loosened belt,
barely stayed on my hips.
Friend,
that’s as much as I know now.
When he touched my body,
I couldn’t at all remember
who he was,
who I was,
or how It was.”
—Amaru (c. seventh century A.D.)