Intersection Numbers and the Statement of the Disc Embedding Theorem

‘Intersection Numbers and the Statement of the Disc Embedding Theorem’ provides detailed definitions of some of the notions involved in the statement of the disc embedding theorem, focusing specifically on intersection numbers. The chapter begins with a detailed analysis of immersions, regular homotopies, finger moves, and Whitney moves. Then it defines intersection and self-intersection numbers for families of discs and spheres, taking values in the group ring of the fundamental group of the ambient space, with the correct relations. Then it enumerates certain properties of intersection numbers, in particular relating them to the existence of Whitney discs. This work enables the disc embedding theorem to be stated carefully.