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Unknotting number is not additive under connected sum

Mark Brittenham, Susan Hermiller

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Source: Crossref

Published: Sep 1, 2026

DOI: 10.4007/annals.2026.204.2.7

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Source abstract

We give the first examples of a pair of knots K1K_1, K2K_2 in the 33-sphere for which their unknotting numbers satisfy $u(K_1 # K_2) < u(K_1)+u(K_2)$. This answers question 1.69(B) from Kirby's problem list, in the negative.

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Unknotting number is not additive under connected sum — Mathematical Frontier Network