Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 October 2008
The polynomial invariants of classical links that relate to the Jones polynomial have various inter-connections. Here a new one is given: the square of the Jones polynomial is obtained from the F-polynomial by means of a certain substitution of variables. This explains and corrects some similarities between known evaluations of these polynomials. The proof uses the ‘Dubrovnik’ version of the F-polynomial; this is first proved to be equivalent to the F-polynomial. Finally a correlation between the F and P polynomials is included as a provocative curiosity.