Questions tagged [homology-cohomology]

Use this tag if your question involves some type of (co)homology, including (but not limited to) simplicial, singular or group (co)homology. Consider the tag (homological-algebra) for more abstract aspects of (co)homology theory.

A chain complex $(A_{\bullet}, d_{\bullet})$ is a sequence $(A_n)_{-\infty}^{\infty}$ of abelian groups (or modules) and group (module) homomorphisms $d_n : A_n \to A_{n-1}$ such that $d_{n-1}\circ d_n = 0$. This data can be represented as follows:

$$\cdots \xrightarrow{d_{n+1}} A_n \xrightarrow{d_n} A_{n-1} \xrightarrow{d_{n-1}} \cdots$$

The homology of a chain complex is the sequence of abelian groups

$$H_n = \frac{\ker d_n}{\operatorname{im}d_{n+1}}.$$

Dually, a cochain complex is a sequence $(A_{\bullet}, d_{\bullet})$ of abelian groups where $d_n : A_n \to A_{n+1}$.

There are many common types of (co)homology including simplicial (co)homology, singular (co)homology, and group (co)homology. A more extensive list can be found here.

Simplicial homology and singular homology are examples of homology theories attached to a topological space. The Eilenberg-Steenrod axioms are a collection of properties that such homology theories share.

For the more abstract aspects of (co)homology theory, the tag may be more appropriate.

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homology over fields

Is it true that the homology of a manifold with field coefficients determines the homology over the integers? I know that by the universal coefficient theorem that $H_k(X; \mathbb{F}) \cong H_k(X; \mathbb{Z}) \bigotimes \mathbb{F}$ since the Tor…
Bob
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Cup products and cross products

So, I am trying to compute some products on chains and their duals, but I have difficulties in understanding some operations. The cup product of cochains is quite easy to understand, especially when computing them. However, I cannot grasp why…
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Homology of groups

Is there an example of a group $G$ such that $H_n(G;\mathbb{Z})=0$ for all $n\in \mathbb{Z}_{>0}$ and $H_n \left( \prod_{k=1}^{\infty} G;\ \mathbb Z\right) \neq 0$ for all $n\in\mathbb{Z}_{>0}$?
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Identity in cohomology

Let $N^{4k+1}$ be a compact oriented manifold with boundary $i:M^{4k} \hookrightarrow N$. Suppose $c \in H^{4k}(N,A)$ for some abelian group $A$. I have to prove that $ \langle i^*(c), [M] \rangle =0 $. In order to do this I'd like to prove that…
user93772
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Correct definition of singular homology

Every time I look up something about singular homology I seem to find a different definition, so I just want to clear up a couple of things. Let $X$ be a topological space and $\Delta^n$ the $n$-th standard simplex. An $n$-simplex is then a…
57Jimmy
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Computing a cohomology generator

I would like to compute the generators of the first cohomology group of this simplicial complex: with coefficients in the Klein group $\mathbb{Z}_2 \times \mathbb{Z}_2$. I have no idea how to do that since I can't express the matrix corresponding…
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What does the element of homology groups mean?

I am studying homology groups for topological spaces. I do not understand how the element of homology groups play roles. For example,let $T^2$ be a 2-dim torus. I think meridian $m$ and longitude $l$ of $T^2$ play a generator of 1-dim homology group…
nrs_ksnk
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What does it mean to say "the cohomology of $\mathbb{C}P^{n-1}$ is of rank $n$"?

What does it mean to say "the cohomology of $\mathbb{C}P^{n-1}$ is of rank $n$"? From my knowledge, when considering the rank you would consider the individual ranks of each $H^{k}(\mathbb{C}P^{n-1}; G)$ component, and so I am confused what it means…
Aran
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Maps of homology groups induced by inclusion

Calculate the map $H_2(\mathbb{R} P^2,\mathbb{Z}/2)\to H_2(\mathbb{C} P^2,\mathbb{Z}/2)$ induced by the inclusion $\mathbb{R} P^2\to \mathbb{C} P^2$. We know that $H_2(\mathbb{R} P^2, \mathbb{Z}/2) \cong H_2(\mathbb{C}P^2, \mathbb{Z}/2) \cong…
user44636
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How does one think of $H_1$ with real or rational coefficients geometrically?

The title says it all. I'm still a beginner in homology, learning out of Hatcher, but I've run into mentions of $H_1$ with rational or real coefficients in some papers, and I'm struggling to see how that makes sense in the context of "cycles" in the…
user26010
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computing cohomology algebra of 3 dimensional Klein bottle

Could someone tell me how to compute the cohomology algebra $H^*(K, \mathbb{Z}_2)$ of the three dimensional Klein bottle $K$ defined as follows. Let $S_0,S_1$ be the boundaries of $S^2 \times [0,1]$ with induced orientations from $S^2 \times [0,1]$.…
kelly
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Poincare dual of a point

Why is the closed Poincare dual of a point in $R^n$ trivial but the compact dual is a "bump"? Please provide very detailed answer.
alireza
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Homology of connected sum of $\mathbb{R}P^4$ and $\mathbb{C}P^2$.

I'm studying for my topology qualifying exam, and I'm having trouble computing the homology of the connected sum of $\mathbb{R}P^4$ and $\mathbb{C}P^2$. I tried using a relative long exact sequence and Mayer-Vietoris, and I've gotten closer with the…
Aly
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connecting maps in the universal coefficients theorem

for a finite group $G$ and a trivial abelian $G$ module $A,$ there is the short exact sequence $0 \rightarrow \mathrm{Ext}^1 (G_{ab},A) \rightarrow H^2(G,A) \rightarrow \mathrm{Hom} (H_2 (G,Z), A) \rightarrow 0$ I'm looking for a description for the…
Ofir
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confused, Universal Coefficient Theorem (cohomology)

This is bad, but I was applying the UCT to a small complex and didn't seem to work. Namely the chain complex $0 \rightarrow \mathbb{Z} \rightarrow \mathbb{Z} \rightarrow 0$ where the nonzero map is, say, multiplication by 2. Then the homology groups…
rob
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