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Several types of knots

Understand the science on how shoelace knots help scientists understand complex knots like DNA

Mathematical knotsKnots are characterized by the number of times and the manner in which the strand crosses itself. A basic loop, which has no crossings and forms only one distinct “knot,” is the simplest knot in knot theory. The number of distinct knots greatly increases with the number of crossings; only those with seven or fewer crossings are shown here.

In knot theory, knots are formed by seamlessly merging the ends of a segment to form a closed loop. Knots are then characterized by the number of times and the manner in which the segment crosses itself. After the basic loop, the simplest knot is the trefoil knot, which is the only knot, other than its mirror image, that can be formed with exactly three crossings.

Examples of common knots.

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Understand the science on how shoelace knots help scientists understand complex knots like DNA

Understand the science on how shoelace knots help scientists understand complex knots like DNA

Learn how shoelace knots come undone.

Video: Displayed by permission of The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. (A Britannica Publishing Partner)

Images

Several types of knots

Several types of knots

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Mathematical knotsKnots are characterized by the number of times and the manner in which the strand crosses itself. A basic loop, which has no crossings and forms only one distinct “knot,” is the simplest knot in knot theory. The number of distinct knots greatly increases with the number of crossings; only those with seven or fewer crossings are shown here.

Mathematical knotsKnots are characterized...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

In knot theory, knots are formed by seamlessly merging the ends of a segment to form a closed loop. Knots are then characterized by the number of times and the manner in which the segment crosses itself. After the basic loop, the simplest knot is the trefoil knot, which is the only knot, other than its mirror image, that can be formed with exactly three crossings.

In knot theory, knots are formed by seamlessly merging the ends of a segment to form...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Examples of common knots.

Examples of common knots.

© Merriam-Webster Inc.

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