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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A false reasoning for a better intuition behind the universal coefficient theorem

Let $X$ be a topological space. I am trying to understand the natural homomorphism $$H^*(M,\mathbb{Z}) \to H^*(M,\mathbb{R}),$$ induced by the inclusion $\mathbb{Z} \hookrightarrow \mathbb{R}$. The universal coefficient theorem says that this…
BrianT
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Equivariant cohomology: $H^{*}_{S^{1}}(S^{2})$

We want calculate $H^{*}_{S^1}(S^2)$. We can choose two open sets $U= S^{2} \setminus p_{+}$ and $V = S^{2} \setminus p_{-}$, where $p_{+}$ and $p_{-}$ are the north pole and south pole of $S^{2}$. There are fixed points of action and they are…
ArthurStuart
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De - Rham Cohomology calculation via Mayer - Vietoris Sequences

How can we show that: $b_1(\mathbb{RP^3})=b_1(\mathbb{RP^2})$ and $b_2(\mathbb{RP^3})=b_2(\mathbb{RP^2})$ I think it is just repeated use of deformation retracts, and Poincare's Lemma to fit in the correct pieces to the Mayer - Vietoris Sequence,…
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The degree of a map is the induced multiplication on any cohomology theory

I'm trying to show that if $f : S^n \to S^n$ is a map with degree $d$, then the induced map $f^*$ on any (reduced, ordinary) cohomology theory is multiplication by $d$. Some background: Cohomology theories: A reduced extraordinary cohomology theory…
James
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Intuitive meaning of the local homology

We know that if $M$ is a $d-$dimensional manifold, then $H_n(M, M\setminus \{x\})=\mathbb{Z}$ for $n=d$ and equals to $0$ else. I can understand formally the result and its proof, but I can't understand what it is actually saying. What is the…
perlman
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The exchange in the cup product of two cochains gives rise to a coboundary?

Does the cup product of two cochains have the following property? $$f_m \cup h_n = (-)^{mn} h_n \cup f_m + \text{coboundary}$$ The above is valid if both $f_m$ and $h_n$ are cocycles.
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What is the de Rham cohomology of $S^k\times S^n$?

I am trying to do this calculus and I have a guest, but I don't if it is right: Supposing $n >k$ then: If $r=0$ then $$H_{dR}^0(S^k\times S^n) = \mathbb{R}$$ $$H_{dR}^r(S^k\times S^n) = 0,$$ if $0
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Intuition Homology and homology groups

Could someone give an intuition on the concepts of homology and homology groups? I have been reading the definition of these, but don't have a clear understanding of them. Thanks!
Esteban
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semi-invariant homology

Has anyone ever studied the homology of the following situation? a group $G$ acts on a space $X$; $\chi$ is an integer-valued character on the group; we take the subcomplex of the usual singular chain complex with integer (or rational) coefficients…
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Is this a correct understanding of what de Rham's Theorem is saying?

De Rham's Theorem states that $H_{dR}^k(M) \simeq H^k(M;\mathbf R)$ for all $k$. This is what it states. But I've been struggling to understanding what it's telling me. Here's my understanding so far: $H^k(M)$ with any coefficient group/ring is, in…
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Trying to prove that $h_{n}(X,X) = 0$ in a homology theory $h_{n}$

By the excision property of Homology Theory, I know that $h_{n}(X,X) \cong h_{n}(X-X, X-X) = h_{n}(\phi,\phi)$, since the closure of $X$ in $X$ is equal to the interior of $X$ in $X$ ($X$ is both open and closed in itself). Based on the axioms, it…
roo
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Exactness Axiom of Homology Theory

Axioms we are using for Homology Theory: 1) Homotopy: if $f$ and $g$ are homotopic, then $h_{n}(f) = h_{n}(g)$ 2) exactness: each map $f:(X,A)\to (Y,B)$ gives us a commuting ladder of long exact sequences (the top bar of which I have included…
roo
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Homology/Cohomology of Closed Manifold with $\mathbb{Z}_{2}$ Coefficients

Why is $H_{i}(M,\mathbb{Z}_{2}) = H^{i}(M,\mathbb{Z}_{2})$ for a closed manifold $M$? (Hatcher states this on p. 249 in his proof of Corollary 3.37.) Thanks.
Ashley
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How to define the induced map of shifted complexes?

First question here. Apologies for any rookie mistakes, gladly take comments on how to improve phrasing etc. Conventions: I define $[k]$ to be the one-dimensional vector space concentrated in degree $-k$. Define $A[k]:= [k]\otimes A$. I also work…
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Computing the cohomology ring of $\mathbb RP^2 \times \mathbb S^3$ with $\mathbb Z_2$ coefficients.

Computing the cohomology ring of $\mathbb RP^2 \times \mathbb S^3$ with $\mathbb Z_2$ coefficients. Here are my thoughts: To use kunneth theorem and then knowing that the cohomology ring of $\mathbb RP^2$ is $\mathbb Z_2[\alpha]/ (\alpha^3)$ where…
Brain
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