Finite type invariants of integral homology 3-spheres: A survey

This is a survey on the current status of the study of finite type invariants of integral homology 3-spheres based on lectures given in the workshop on knot theory at Banach International Center of Mathematics, Warsaw, July 1995. As a new result, we show that the space of finite type invariants of integral homology 3-spheres is a graded polynomial algebra generated by invariants additive under the connected sum. We also discuss some open questions on this subject.Comment: 27 pages, amslatex. A new section was added surveying recent developments of the subject. To appear in the proceedings of Warsaw knot theory workshop, July-August 199

A volume-ish theorem for the Jones polynomial of alternating knots

The Volume conjecture claims that the hyperbolic Volume of a knot is determined by the colored Jones polynomial. The purpose of this article is to show a Volume-ish theorem for alternating knots in terms of the Jones polynomial, rather than the colored Jones polynomial: The ratio of the Volume and certain sums of coefficients of the Jones polynomial is bounded from above and from below by constants. Furthermore, we give experimental data on the relation of the growths of the hyperbolic volume and the coefficients of the Jones polynomial, both for alternating and non-alternating knots.Comment: 14 page