Definition
The polynomial is defined using skein relations:
where are crossing and smoothing changes on a local region of a link diagram, as indicated in the figure.
The HOMFLY polynomial of a link L that is a split union of two links and is given by .
See the page on skein relation for an example of a computation using these relations.
Read more about this topic: HOMFLY Polynomial
Famous quotes containing the word definition:
“Im beginning to think that the proper definition of Man is an animal that writes letters.”
—Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson] (18321898)
“Mothers often are too easily intimidated by their childrens negative reactions...When the child cries or is unhappy, the mother reads this as meaning that she is a failure. This is why it is so important for a mother to know...that the process of growing up involves by definition things that her child is not going to like. Her job is not to create a bed of roses, but to help him learn how to pick his way through the thorns.”
—Elaine Heffner (20th century)
“No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be than thisdevoted and obedient. This definition would do just as well for a porter. It might even do for a horse. It would not do for a policeman.”
—Florence Nightingale (18201910)