2
$\begingroup$

The join of $A$ and $B$ is the pushout of the diagram $$ CA \times B \gets A\times B \to A\times CB, $$ which can be formulated in either the pointed or unpointed topological category. This pushout is naturally a subspace of $CA\times CB$.

In the unpointed context, there is a homeomorphism $C(A * B) \cong CA \times CB$ extending the inclusion of the join into the product.
I have also seen it asserted in the pointed context, with less convincing arguments. In the pointed context, the case in which one of the spaces is the one-point space $P$ seems to raise problems: since $CP = P$ and $A*P = CA$, $$ C(A * P) = C(CA) \qquad \mbox{while} \qquad CA \times CP \cong CA. $$ So I am reluctantly inclined to believe that the pointed version is false.

Question: Is there a statement about pointed cones, products and joins that does roughly the same job as the unpointed homeomorphism $C(A* B) \cong CA\times CB$?

EDIT: Perhaps a solution is to restrict to CW complexes (or cell complexes), and prove that the cone and the reduced cone of such a space are homeomorphic, except for the one-point space (it's true for spheres, and probably induction will work).

$\endgroup$
2
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @DavidRoberts The pointed cone is $CP = (*\times I)/(*\times I)$. $\endgroup$
    – Jeff Strom
    Commented Sep 19, 2020 at 22:31
  • $\begingroup$ ah, of course! :-S $\endgroup$
    – David Roberts
    Commented Sep 20, 2020 at 2:18

0

You must log in to answer this question.