USU Mathematicians Untangle Knot Theory at Science Unwrapped Friday, April 11

Knots are a part of everyday life. We tie our Nike Dunks, tame unruly hairdos, crochet adorable animal plushies, secure bags as we take out the trash and untangle a frustrating array of extension cords, earbuds and holiday lights. The more adventurous among us use hard-earned knot-tying skills to set up belays for rock climbing, expertly moor boats or embark on successful camping and fishing expeditions.

But mathematicians view knots in a different way, say Utah State University scholars Seth Porter and Matt Young.

“Look at the laces in your shoes,” says Porter, a 2024 Peak Undergraduate Research Fellow and the College of Science’s Scholar of the Year. “You may think they’re tied in a knot but, mathematically speaking, unless the ends of the laces are glued together, they’re not knots.”

Does that make a circle a knot?

“Actually, no,” says Young, assistant professor in USU’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics and Porter’s faculty mentor. “A knot refers to the embedding of a circle, or closed curve, into a three-dimensional space. A circle is an ‘unknot.’”

Intrigued?

Young and Porter will present “Untangling Knot Theory” at USU’s Science Unwrapped public outreach program April 11. Their talk, which includes interactive demonstrations, begins at 7 p.m. in the Emert Auditorium, Room ESLC 130, of the Eccles Science Learning Center. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

Young and Porter’s talk is the fourth presentation in Science Unwrapped’s spring 2025 series, ”Celebrate Undergrad Research,” which is presented in conjunction with Utah State’s 2025 Year of Undergraduate Research.

“Matt and Seth will present a brain-twisting topic in a fun and entertaining way,” says Brynja Kohler, Science Unwrapped chair, associate dean in the College of Science and professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “We’re excited to have these exceptional scholars take us on a journey through a fascinating branch of mathematics.”

Hands-on learning activities led by USU student groups and community volunteers, along with refreshments, follow the presentation. In addition, this spring’s series features research posters by USU undergraduates.

The April 11 talk will be video-recorded and posted on the Science Unwrapped website, within a week of the in-person event.

Following the April event, Science Unwrapped, which was initiated in 2009, takes a summer break and returns in September 2025.

Directions and parking information are available on the program’s website.

For more information, call 435-797-3517, visit the Science Unwrapped website or view the ‘Science Unwrapped at USU’ Facebook page.