All Questions
Tagged with at.algebraic-topology gr.group-theory
288 questions
8
votes
0
answers
204
views
Relationship between the p-radical subgroups and the parabolics in a BN-pair generality
A theorem of Quillen says that if $G$ is a finite Chevalley group over characteristic $p$, then the poset $\mathcal{A}_p(G)$ of nontrivial elementary abelian subgroups of $G$ is homotopy equivalent (I ...
- 1,726
5
votes
0
answers
636
views
Do the ternary braid groups arise in algebraic topology?
Let $TB_{n}$ be the group defined by the presentation with generators $t_{1},...,t_{n-2}$ and relations $t_{i}t_{i+1}t_{i+2}t_{i}=t_{i+2}t_{i}t_{i+1}t_{i+2}$
and $t_{i}t_{j}=t_{j}t_{i}$ whenever $|i-j|...
11
votes
0
answers
331
views
If an additive group of $\Bbb R^2$ contains a smoothly deformed circle, is it necessarily all of $\Bbb R^2$?
It can be shown that if an additive subgroup of $\Bbb R^2$ contains the unit circle, then it is necessarily all of $\Bbb R^2$. Does this also hold for a suitably smoothly deformed unit circle?
...
- 2,069
8
votes
1
answer
519
views
The extension class of a finite Heisenberg group
Let $\mathbb{K}$ be a field of characteristic $\neq 2$ and let $(V, \omega)$ be a symplectic vector space. Then the Heisenberg group $\mathsf{Heis}(V, \, \omega)$ is the central extension of the ...
- 66.3k
9
votes
2
answers
939
views
A question on the fundamental group of a compact orientable surface of genus >1
Let $G=\pi(X,x)$ be the fundamental group of a compact orientable
surface of genus $g\ge 2$. It is well known that a presentation of
$G$ is
$$G=\langle x_1,y_1,\dots,x_g,y_g \ | \ [x_1,y_1]\cdots
[x_g,...
- 1,386
6
votes
2
answers
749
views
Explicit computation of the Burnside ring
I would like to see explicit computations of the Burnside ring $A(G)$ when $G$ is a small Abelian group, such as $G=\mathbb{Z}/2,\mathbb{Z}/2^n,\mathbb{Z}/p^n$ where $p$ is an odd prime and $n\...
- 3,173
9
votes
0
answers
420
views
Hochschild-Serre spectral sequence via explicit filtration
Let
$$1 \longrightarrow K \longrightarrow G \longrightarrow Q \longrightarrow 1$$
be a short exact sequence of groups and let $M$ be a $\mathbb{Z}[G]$-module. The Hochschild--Serre spectral ...
- 163
35
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Second Betti number of lattices in $\mathrm{SL}_3(\mathbf{R})$
We fix $G=\mathrm{SL}_3(\mathbf{R})$.
Let $\Gamma$ be a torsion-free cocompact lattice in $G$. Is $b_2(\Gamma)=0$?
Here the second Betti number $b_2(\Gamma)$ is both the dimension of the ...
- 63.9k
3
votes
0
answers
208
views
Cell structure on $B\mathbb{G}$ and the bar resolution of $\mathbb{G}$
Consider $\mathbb{G}$, which can be viewed as a group, as well as a 2-group.
(For example, given a short exact sequence
$$
1 \to BG_2 \to \mathbb{G} \to G_1 \to 1
$$
and the fiber sequence:
$$
B^2G_2 ...
- 10.5k
17
votes
1
answer
683
views
Relationship between Smith's special homology groups and equivariant homology theory
EDIT: Tyler Lawson's answer was so nice that I was inspired to rewrite the notes discussed below to use Bredon homology in the definition of the Smith special homology groups. The original version is ...
- 44.8k
3
votes
2
answers
343
views
Good, detailed references for "mod p lower central series"
I am looking for good, detailed references for "mod $p$ lower central series".
So far I only find papers such as (https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/81193793.pdf, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/...
- 1,229
2
votes
1
answer
660
views
Show that the rational cohomology ring $H^*(M;\mathbb{Q})$ needs at least two generators
Let $M$ be a simply connected closed Riemannian manifold. How does one find a necessary condition going both ways that may be imposed on $M$ (perhaps on the curvature of $M$ and on torsion) which ...
- 239
18
votes
2
answers
592
views
primary decomposition for nonabelian cohomology of finite groups
Let $G$ be a finite group, and let $M$ be a group on which $G$ acts (via a homomorphism $G\to \operatorname{Aut}(M)$).
If $M$ is abelian, hence a $\mathbb{Z}G$-module, there is a primary ...
- 35.9k
9
votes
1
answer
308
views
Projective resolutions of finite-dimensional representations of infinite groups
Let $G$ be a group and let $V$ be a finite-dimensional complex representation of $G$. Question: Under what circumstances can I find a projective resolution
$$ \cdots \longrightarrow P_3 \...
- 91
6
votes
1
answer
237
views
Example similar to the Griffiths twin cone but with fundamental group that allows surjection onto $\mathbb Z$
The Griffiths twin cone is an example of a wedge sum of two contractible spaces being non-contractible. Namely, it is the wedge sum $\mathbb G=C\mathbb H\vee_p C\mathbb H$ of two coni over the ...
6
votes
2
answers
331
views
Epimorphisms from the genus $2$ surface braid group to finite groups
This question is somehow related to my previous MO question Explicit description of a subgroup of the braid group $\mathsf{B}_2(C_2)$; for the reader convenience, let me write down again the relevant ...
- 66.3k
10
votes
1
answer
274
views
A flatness result of Fiedorwicz for amalgamated free products of monoids in connection with classifying spaces of monoids
In Lemma 5.2(a) of Z. Fiedorowicz, Classifying Spaces of Topological Monoids and Categories American Journal of Mathematics Vol. 106, No. 2 (Apr., 1984), pp. 301-350 the author proves the following.
...
- 38.6k
2
votes
2
answers
151
views
How to prove that $\phi: \;\mathrm Mod(S_g)\to \mathrm Sp(2g, \mathbb{Z})$ is an epimorphism? [duplicate]
How do I prove that homomorphism $\phi : \; \mathrm{Mod}(S_g)\to \mathrm{Sp}(2g, \mathbb{Z})$ (induced by the action of mapping class group of a surface on integer homologies of a surface) is an ...
11
votes
1
answer
167
views
A group of type F that is an extension of type F-by-type F
Let us first recall that a group of type $F$ is a group admitting a compact classifying space.
Let $K$ and $Q$ be groups of type $F$. Consider the family $\mathcal{G}(K, Q)$ consisting of groups $G$ ...
- 489
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Acyclic Finite Groups
A group is called acyclic if its classifying space has the same homology of a point. Examples of acyclic groups include Higman's group with four generators and relations, also ...
- 2,630
9
votes
0
answers
439
views
(Torsion in) homology of free nilpotent groups
It is known that for free $k$-step nilpotent group on $r$ generators $N(r, k)$ its integral homology is torsion-free in degrees $\leq 3$ (obvious for 1 and 2, Igusa&Orr computations for 3). ...
- 4,600
22
votes
1
answer
719
views
What is the cohomological dimension of the commutator subgroup of the pure braid group?
I'm interested in computing the cohomological dimension of the commutator subgroup $[P_n,P_n]$ of the pure braid group $P_n$. I wasn't able to find a reference in the literature.
Because $[P_n,P_n]$ ...
29
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Quillen + construction for finite groups
Is there an example of two non isomorphic finite groups $G$ and $H$ such that $BG^{+}$ is homotopy equivalent to $BH^{+}$ ?
- 1,629
2
votes
1
answer
457
views
Classification of finite HNN-extensions of a finite group with respect to an isomorphism between cyclic subgroups
Given the data of a triple $(G,h,k)$ where $G$ is a finite group, and $h,k\in G$ of the same order which together generate $G$, I'm interested in understanding the possible pairs $(i,\alpha)$, where $...
- 10.7k
7
votes
1
answer
197
views
Homology of a limit of semidirect products
Suppose I have two families of groups $A_k$ and $B_k$ indexed by the natural numbers and suppose $B_k$ acts on $A_k$. Suppose there are groups homomorphisms $A_{k+1} \rtimes B_{k+1} \to A_k \rtimes ...
- 111
51
votes
1
answer
8k
views
What is Atiyah's topological formulation of the odd order theorem?
Here is a quote from an article by Daniel Gorenstein on the history of the classification of finite simple groups (available here).
During that year in Harvard, Thompson began his monumental ...
- 2,821
21
votes
2
answers
622
views
Morphism from a surface group to a symmetric group, lifted to the braid group
Let $\Sigma_g$ be the fundamental group of the closed orientable surface of genus $g\ge 2$; let $B_n$ be the braid group on $n\ge 3$ braids; let $S_n$ be the symmetric group on $n$ letters; let $p:B_n\...
- 2,479
5
votes
2
answers
252
views
Monoid of continuous self-maps of (real) surfaces
Let $S$ be a closed surface of genus $g > 0$ and $[S,S] = Hom(\pi_{1}(S),\pi_{1}(S))$ be the monoid of (homotopy classes of) continuous maps from $S$ to itself. Consider the semi-group $A$ of ...
- 6,995
-2
votes
1
answer
516
views
no classification of nilpotent lie groups
there is no classification of (simply connected) nilpotent lie groups, but I am tempted to try to generalize the construction of the Heisenberg group. For an upper triangular matrix:
$$ \left(
\...
- 22.8k
2
votes
0
answers
311
views
The subtlety with (an algebraic phrasing of) the Whitehead conjecture?
The Whitehead conjecture states that if $X$ is a $2$-dimensional aspherical simplicial complex and $Y \subset X$ is a connected sub-complex then $Y$ is aspherical. This can be re-phrased in terms of ...
4
votes
0
answers
172
views
from 2-cocycle to classifying map
Let $A,E,G:\mathrm{Set}_*\to\mathrm{Grp}_*$ be functors from pointed sets to (discrete) groups ($*=1$) together with natural transformations $i:A\to E, \ p: E\to G$ such that for any set $X$
\begin{...
14
votes
3
answers
683
views
Compact manifolds with big mapping class group
I was wondering if compact surfaces were the only compact manifolds with a "big" or "complicated" mapping class group.
Are there higher dimensional manifolds (which are not in some way reducible to ...
- 2,696
32
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is the Hurewicz theorem ever used to compute abelianizations?
The Hurewicz theorem tells us that if $X$ is a path-connected space then $H_1(X, \, \mathbb{Z})$ is isomorphic to the abelianisation of $\pi_1(X)$. This gives a potential method for computing the ...
user81684
11
votes
2
answers
475
views
What is a finite Haken cover of the Seifert–Weber space?
It's known that the Seifert–Weber space (obtained from a dodecahedron by gluing opposite faces with a 3/10 turn) is an example of a non-Haken 3-manifold. Since every closed 3-manifold is virtually ...
- 113
15
votes
0
answers
716
views
Is this "Homology" useful to study?
In the usual singular homology of a topological space $X$, one consider the free abelian group generated by all continuous maps from the standard simplex $\Delta^{n}$ to $X$.
Now we can ...
- 356
3
votes
1
answer
267
views
In what sense is every element of $H_2(G)$ "represented by a free action on some surface"
(This is a cross-post of this unanswered math.stackexchange question)
In Edmond's 1982 paper Surface Symmetry II, at the bottom of page 145, he writes:
"Corollary - If $G$ is a split nonabelian ...
- 7,527
0
votes
1
answer
143
views
Trivialize a cup-product 2-cocycle of $G$ in a larger group $J$
I like to ask a simple question: how to trivialize a cup-product 2-cocycle of $G$ into a 2-coboundary of $J$ in a larger group $J$.
Let us take a nontrivial 2-cocycle $\omega_3^G(g_a, g_b) \in H^2(G,\...
- 755
9
votes
0
answers
376
views
Explicit description of a subgroup of the braid group $\mathsf{B}_2(C_2)$
This is related to my previous MathOverflow question Fundamental group of $\mathrm{Sym}^2(C_g)$ minus the diagonal.
Let $C_2$ be a smooth curve of genus $2$ and $X:=\mathrm{Sym}^2(C_2)$ its second ...
- 66.3k
3
votes
0
answers
120
views
Trivialize a cocycle of a continuous Lie group-cohomology to a coboundary
Someone recently asks a question $SO(3)$ 2-cocycle trivialized to a 2-coboundary in $SU(2)$? now inspires me to revisit an earlier general question to ask an example of 3-cocycle
$\omega_3^G$ of a ...
- 10.5k
2
votes
1
answer
264
views
Trivialize a cup-product 3-cocycle of $G$ in a larger group $J$
Inspired by this question, let us take a nontrivial 3-cocycle $\omega_3^G(g_a, g_b, g_c) \in H^3(G,\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z})$ in the cohomology group of $G$ with $U(1)=\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z}$ coefficient. ...
- 755
4
votes
1
answer
394
views
$SO(3)$ 2-cocycle trivialized to a 2-coboundary in $SU(2)$?
I was trying to understand this interesting question by example.
Let me follow their previous discussion and ask: Let a generic nontrivial 2-cocycle $\omega_2^G(g_1,g_2) \in H^2(G,\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{...
- 755
3
votes
0
answers
528
views
Classifying spaces
Note: this question was edited after a comment below
I'm reading into classifying spaces for the moment and I have some questions about these things. I'm using the following definition:
Given a ...
6
votes
1
answer
456
views
Restrictions on $\pi_1(X)$ of geometric origin (Kähler groups as example)
There's and old and extensively studied question about characterisation of fundamental groups of smooth compact Kähler manifolds. Restrictions imposed by Kählerness are somewhat fragile, and if we ...
- 4,600
7
votes
1
answer
463
views
Cohomology of the mapping class group of a non-orientable surface?
What is the low degree cohomology of the mapping class group of a non-orientable surface? More specifically, what is the universal central extension of the mapping class group of a non-orientable ...
- 12.8k
7
votes
2
answers
376
views
are there finite nonabelian characteristic quotients $G$ of $F_2$ inducing a surjection $Aut(F_2)\twoheadrightarrow Aut(G)$?
Let $F_2$ be the free group of rank 2. Let $K\le F_2$ be a characteristic subgroup, such that $G := F_2/K$ is finite.
Do there exist examples of such nonabelian $G$ such that the induced map
$$Aut(...
- 7,527
2
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Lifting of group homomorphisms
I asked this question a few days ago on math stackexchange but didn't get any answer so I thought I post it here too (see here):
In my first course on algebraic topology I heard about the following:
...
- 721
7
votes
1
answer
506
views
$G$ cocycle split to a coboundary in $J$, via a group extension
Consider a generic nontrivial $d$-cocycle $\omega_d^G \in H^d(G,U(1))$ in the cohomology group of a group $G$ with $U(1)=\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z}$ coefficient. In otherwords, here the $d$-cocycle $\...
- 10.5k
8
votes
1
answer
420
views
Can we algorithmically contract loops in a simply connected space?
It is well-known that the question whether a given connected simplicial complex (or simplicial set) is simply connected, is algorithmically undecidable as it can model the word problem.
Assuming ...
- 972
14
votes
1
answer
704
views
What is the first Pontryagin class of the $n$-dimensional representation of $S_n$?
The symmetric group $S_n$ has an $n$-dimensional defining representation, which splits as $n = (n-1) + 1$. Although this representation exists integrally, I would like to think of this as a real ...
- 54.6k
11
votes
2
answers
656
views
$G$ cocycle split and trivialized to a coboundary in $J$, given a group homomorphism $J \overset{r}{\rightarrow} G$
Consider a generic nontrivial 3-cocycle $\omega_3^G(g_1,g_2,g_3) \in H^3(G,U(1))$ in the cohomology group of $G$ with $U(1)=\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z}$ coefficient. In otherwords, here the 3-cocycle $\...
- 10.5k