A Powerful New 'QR Code' Untangles Math's Knottiest Knots

(quantamagazine.org)

35 points | by defrost 2 days ago

7 comments

  • latexr 2 hours ago
    Their use of “QR Code” is mighty confusing. QR (Quick Response) Codes are something specific that people are familiar with. These don’t share any characteristics apart from being images which represent something else. They’re not even the same colour or shape. Just call them “knot codes” or something.
    • jagged-chisel 5 minutes ago
      I think the comparison for the lay person is just fine. The author quoted the term and explains themselves.

      A QR codes encode data to be scanned and converted for the convenience of the user.

      These knot graphics encode data to be scanned and converted for the convenience of the user.

    • somethingsome 1 hour ago
      I mean... There is a 1-1 mapping, and they look kinda like QR codes. so technically, you can make an app that scan it and it will show you the corresponding polynomial.. It could even be useful for fast checking knots
      • Hendrikto 1 hour ago
        > There is a 1-1 mapping

        It is strong, but not 1 to 1:

        > Tubbenhauer computed, for instance, that the invariant uniquely identifies more than 97% of the knots with 18 crossings.

        • tromp 44 minutes ago
          Since they said "the corresponding polynomial", they must mean the mapping between the colored hexagons and the knot polynomials.
      • latexr 1 hour ago
        > mapping

        Which I not only mentioned in my comment, it is not even slightly unique to QR codes.

        > they look kinda like QR codes

        In what way? QR Codes are black and white, square, and asymmetrical. These are colourful, hexagonal, and symmetrical. By that token, a 16th century tile also “looks kinda like a QR Code”.

        I very much doubt you could show one of these to someone, ask them what they are, and that they would answer “QR Code”. They don’t look alike at all.

  • MattPalmer1086 3 hours ago
    Interesting article. I love it when maths gives us some beautiful visuals too.
  • graphememes 1 hour ago
    this was so confusing at first not going to lie
  • larodi 3 hours ago
    Love them knots! The sudoku of the universe :)
  • mfgadv99 57 minutes ago
    [dead]
  • charcircuit 3 hours ago
    This is not a new QR code, nor is it powerful. It's worse in every way and is not really even a code.
  • ButlerianJihad 47 minutes ago
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code#License

      The text QR Code itself is a registered trademark and wordmark of Denso Wave Incorporated.[107] 
    
    Yeah this publication needs a legal team
    • jagged-chisel 11 minutes ago
      This is the most non-sensical comment here. That’s not at all how trademarks work.

      “Whoa! Some article said this mail app is an ‘Outlook’ for TempleOS! Better call the Microsoft lawyers.”

      No, you’re allowed to compare products and ideas and mention their trademarked names without fear of legal issues.

      Did the researchers name these “QR codes?”