A central limit theorem for the signatures of 2-bridge knots

Abstract

Cohen, Lowrance, Madras, and Raanes computed the average (absolute value of) signature over all 2-bridge knots with crossing number $c$ by introducing the number $s(c,\sigma)$ of 2-bridge knots of crossing number $c$ and signature $\sigma$. Here we provide a closed formula for this number. We use these calculations to show that the distribution of the signatures of 2-bridge knots with crossing number $c$ approaches a normal distribution as $c$ tends to infinity.