Some mathematical knots. Eventually, we'll look at a problem which no one knows the answer to. Before we can look at this problem, we have to explore some basic ideas in the study of knots. Background to the Study of Knots. Knots have been used thoughout history for many practical purposes.
Different knots can have different uses.
The qualities a knot has depends on how the knot was tied. Mathematicians study what qualities make one knot different from another. However, in order to study them, they must do something important to each knot. They must glue the loose ends of the knot together. If they don't do this, the knot can slip off.