Questions tagged [algebraic-topology]

Questions about algebraic methods and invariants to study and classify topological spaces: homotopy groups, (co)-homology groups, fundamental groups, covering spaces, and beyond.

Algebraic topology is a mathematical subject that associates algebraic objects to topological spaces which are invariant under homeomorphism or homotopy equivalence. Often, these associations are functorial so that continuous maps induce morphisms between appropriate algebraic objects.

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21356 questions
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Show the defined map onto $S^1$ is not a covering map.

Let the map $f:S^1 \times \mathbb{N} \to S^1$ defined by $f(z,n):=z^n$ is continuous and onto, but f is not a covering map from $S^1 \times \mathbb{N}$ onto $S^1$.
Harry
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Is it possible for three simplices to share the same face (for the standard definition of simplical complex)?

Is it possible for three simplices to share the same face (for the standard definition of simplical complex)? In this website (http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/project/pscico/pscico/src/simpcomp/README.html), it is written, "A simplicial set is similar…
yoyostein
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when is the kth homology group of a space isomorphic to its kth homotopy group?

I'm just thinking about the relationship between homology and homotopy groups of a space. I know that homology is basically an abelianization of the fundamental group (please correct me if I'm wrong). If anyone could please say a few words about my…
joe
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Composition of fibrations, fiber homotopy equivalence?

Let $p: D \to B$ and $q: E \to B$ be fibrations and let $f: D \to E$ be a map such that $q \circ f = p$. If $f$ is a homotopy equivalence, does it necessarily follow that $f$ is a fiber homotopy equivalence?
user268016
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Why study the p-completions of a space?

Given a nice topological space $X$ there are various notions of a 'completion' at a set of primes. Some of the most common constructions may be found in Bousfield-Kan's, May's, Neisendorfer's or Sullivan's classic textbooks - that last three of…
Tyrone
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Show the map is null-homotopic

I want to solve this question, but I have no idea where should I start. I'm not sure even if I understand the question correctly or not. The question is: Let $X$ be a path connected and locally path connected space, and let $Y=S^1 \times S^1…
Danny
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branched cover over slice disc

I know some examples in 4 dimensions of rational homology balls (meaning that a manifold such that its rational homology groups are as a ball $B^4$) which are branched covers over a slice disc. Is the opposite also true? Is branched cover over a…
7779052
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Example of induced homomorphism in algebraic topology

I would like to understand what induced homomorphism are, as they appear in the definition of the Mayer-Vietoris sequence. Since an homology group $\tilde{H}_n$ is a quotient group defined as $\frac{\text{Ker } \partial_n}{\text{Im }…
vkubicki
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Computing some fundamental groups

I'm studying algebraic topology and got stuck. a. $X_n\in \mathbb{R}^3$ is the union of $n$ distinct lines through the origin. Find $\pi_1(\mathbb{R}^3-X_n)$ for each $n$. b. Let $X$ be the sum of two tori $S_1\times S_1$ by identifying a circle…
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Question about simply connected spaces.

I am reading Hatcher's Topology and in it, it is noted that a space is simply connected, by definition, if and only if it is path connected and has trivial fundamental group. Can someone provide some insight behind the motive for studying these…
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Is the Poincaré Lemma related to Hatcher's prism operator?

I've been trying for days to understand the statement, content, and proof of the Poincaré Lemma. In hindsight, I think the Poincaré Lemma first appeared (secretly) in my first course in multivariable calculus: If a vector field $P \mathbf i + Q…
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Infinite Concatenation of Homotopies

In Chapter 0 of Hatcher's Algebraic Topology book, it is proven that CW pairs $(X,A)$ have the homotopy extension property (pg 15- I would include an image, but I don't have enough reputation to do that). What I don't understand is the "infinite…
Sergei
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$\pi_7(S^4)$ has element of infinite order?

I need to prove that this has an element of infinite order. Do I use Frudenthal suspension theorem. Any hints on what to use to prove this?
simplicity
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Assignment - Euler characteristic constant under barycentric subdivision

I am working on an assignment and I am stuck, mostly I have no clue how to quite attack it. I don't want the answer or anything just advice on angels at which I can go about this. For an n-dimensional simplical complex $K$ do we have that the euler…
Zelos Malum
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The annulus with with antipodal points on the outer circle identified gives a mobius strip

I ve been told that the real projective plane of dimension two can be expresses as the union of a disk and a mobius strip. The only way that this makes sense to me is that if an annulus with with antipodal points on the outer circle identifies gives…
TheGeometer
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