All Questions
1,239 questions
19
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Computing homotopies
Oftentimes, in the standard algebraic topology books (May, Switzer, Whithead, for instance), there are tricky little proofs that depend on proving that two maps are homotopic. This is comparable to ...
- 19.6k
19
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Diffeomorphism of 3-manifolds
Surgery theory aims to measure the difference between simple homotopy types and diffeomorphism types. In 3 dimensions, geometrization achieves something much more nuanced than that. Still, I wonder ...
- 13.2k
16
votes
2
answers
934
views
Counter-example to the existence of left Bousfield localization of combinatorial model category
Is there any known example of a combinatorial model category $C$ together with a set of map $S$ such that the left Bousefield localization of $C$ at $S$ does not exists ?
It is well known to exists ...
- 42.4k
16
votes
2
answers
759
views
What happens to a closed manifold to ensure it is homeomorphic to a torus $T^{n}$?
If $M$ is a smooth connected closed $n$-dimensional manifold, its universal covering space is homeomorphic to Euclidean space $R^{n}$, and its fundamental group is $Z^{n}$, then is it homeomorphic ...
- 169
15
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Multiplicative Structure of the Atiyah-Hirzebruch/Leray-Serre spectral sequence
This is related to this question (edit: now answered, see below). Is there a nice explanation of the multiplicative structure on the higher pages of that spectral sequence? I want to assume that $h$ ...
- 6,813
15
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Obstruction theory for non-simple spaces
I'm looking for a good reference that has a detailed treatment of obstruction theory in the case where the target space is not simple. The specific situation I am interested in involves lifting a map ...
- 7,237
15
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Cohomology groups of homogeneous spaces
Is there a general method to calculate the cohomology groups of homogeneous spaces ($G/H$), such as $\frac{U(4)}{U(2)\times U(2)}$, $\frac{U(5)}{U(2)\times U(3)}$, $U(4)/U(2)$, etc. If yes, could you ...
- 385
15
votes
3
answers
3k
views
H-space structure on infinite projective spaces
Any Eilenberg-MacLane space $K(A,n)$ for abelian $A$ can be given the structure of an $H$-space by lifting the addition on $A$ to a continuous map $K(A\times A,n)=K(A,n)\times K(A,n)\to K(A,n)$.
Does ...
- 258
14
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What are the applications of Dowker's theorem?
Let $R \subset X \times Y$ be any relation between sets $X$ and $Y$. CH Dowker constructed two simplicial complexes $K$ and $L$ associated to $R$:
a simplex in $K$ is empty or consists of finitely ...
- 213
14
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Vanishing of Euler class
Given a real oriented vector bundle E over the base space B of rank n, such that the Euler characteristic class in the n-th cohomology group of B vanishes, is it true that there exists a global ...
- 335
14
votes
1
answer
497
views
3-fold of general type homeomorphic to rational 3-fold
Is there a smooth (complex projective) 3-fold of general type which is homeomorphic (in the complex topology) to a rational $3$-fold?
I am aware of such examples in complex dimension $2$, for ...
- 6,995
13
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Combinatorics of the Stasheff polytopes
First a little background for those unaware. The Stasheff polytopes (or associahedra) are certain convex polytopes that arise in the theory of $A_\infty$-algebras. There is one polytope for each $n\...
- 3,423
13
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Map from simplex to itself that preserves sub-simplices
I believe this may be a standard algebraic topology problem, so I apologize in advance if this belongs in stackexchange (it's not a homework problem, however, and came about in a research context). I'...
- 645
13
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Fundamental groups of compact Kähler manifolds
This is a sort of a follow-up to this question, and especially to Sean Lawton's answer: The book Fundamental Groups of compact Kähler manifolds (which, in my opinion, is one of the best mathematics ...
- 96.4k
13
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Categories on which one can determine all model structures?
Famously, there are exactly nine model structures on the category of sets, which are detailed here. In this case, one can exhaustively determine all six weak factorization systems and then see which ...
- 64k
13
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Fundamental group of Lie groups
Let $T$ be a torus $V/\Gamma$, $\gamma$ a loop on $T$ based at the origin. Then it is easy to see that $$2 \gamma = \gamma \ast \gamma \in \pi_1(T).$$
Here $2 \gamma$ is obtained by rescaling $\gamma$...
- 14.7k
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is $SU(3)/SO(3)$ cobordant with a mapping torus?
The cobordism group of 5-dimensional closed oriented manifolds is $\Omega_5^{SO}=Z_2$, which is generated by $SU(3)/SO(3)$.
A mapping torus is a fiber bundle over $S^1$. Can $\Omega_5^{SO}$ be ...
- 4,826
11
votes
1
answer
804
views
rational homotopy of a manifold
Given a finite dim rational homotopy type satisfying Poincaré duality,
what is the best reference to when it is the rational homotopy type of a fin dim manifold?
- 3,880
11
votes
4
answers
2k
views
In a fibration, can a deformation retraction of the base be lifted to the total space?
Given a fibration $p:E \rightarrow B$ and if $A$ is a deformation retract of $B$. Is it true that $p^{-1}(A)$ is a deformation retract of $E$?. If this is not true, can some conditions be imposed on $...
- 113
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Request: intermediate-level proof: every 2-homology class of a 4-manifold is generated by a surface.
Hi, everyone:
For the sake of context, I am a graduate student, and I have taken classes in
algebraic topology and differential geometry. Still, the 2 proofs I have found
are a little too terse for ...
- 361
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Descent theorems for fundamental groups and groupoids?
Grothendieck in his 1984 "Esquisse d'un programme" (Section 2) wrote (English translation):
" ..,people still obstinately persist, when calculating with fundamental groups, in fixing a single base ...
- 12.3k
10
votes
3
answers
1k
views
About the classification of commutative and of cocommutative, fin. dim. Hopf algebras
I want to prove that the cocommutative finite dimensional Hopf algebras over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero are group algebras (for some finite group) and that the commutative f....
- 7,746
10
votes
3
answers
6k
views
when mapping cone is contractible
It is quite obvious that if a map is a homotopy equivalence, then its mapping cone is contractible, but is the converse true: mapping cone contractible => the map is a homotopy equivalence? I am ...
- 1,875
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Reference for push-pull formula in cohomology
I would like a precise reference for the following fact.
Assume that
$$
\begin{array}{ccc}
M\times_B N & \stackrel{f'}{\to} & N \newline
\quad\downarrow g' & & \quad\downarrow g \...
- 35.9k
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
On combinatorial and cellular model categories and infinity categories
I am looking for a counterexample. Let me first give the set-up. When you work with model categories, it is extremely common to assume they are cofibrantly generated. For me, this means the definition ...
- 30.3k
7
votes
3
answers
2k
views
An Intriguing Tapestry: Number triangles, polytopes, Grassmannians, and scattering amplitudes
What are the roles that the classic number arrays-- Eulerian, Narayana--play in the application of totally non-negative Grassmannians, or amplituhedrons, to string / twistor scattering theory?
(This ...
- 10.5k
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Classifying spaces of topological groups whose underlying spaces are homotopy equivalent
Let $G$, $H$ be topological groups and $f:G\rightarrow H$ a continuous group homomorphism which happens to be a homotopy equivalence of the underlying topological spaces. Let us assume that $G$, $H$ ...
- 665
6
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Uniquely geodesic and CAT(0) spaces?
Improvement after J-M Schlenker's comment below :
This post has been divided into two parts, the second part is here.
Question : Is a finite dimensional metric space, uniquely geodesic if and only ...
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Solid rings and Tor
A solid ring is a ring $R$ such that the multiplication
$R\otimes_{\mathbb{Z}} R \to R$ is an isomorphism.
These were classified by Bousfield and Kan; they are
subrings of $\mathbb{Q}$,
$\mathbb{Z}/...
- 12.5k
5
votes
2
answers
651
views
Inflate a finite-group cocycle into coboundary in non-Abelian groups
Edit: In case that there is no solution for the original question, I modify to enrich the question.
We like to ask a possible specific inflation a $H^3(Q, \mathbb{R} /\mathbb{Z})$ cocycle with a ...
- 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
176
votes
7
answers
19k
views
Proofs of Bott periodicity
K-theory sits in an intersection of a whole bunch of different fields, which has resulted in a huge variety of proof techniques for its basic results. For instance, here's a scattering of proofs of ...
- 6,308
147
votes
21
answers
23k
views
Are there examples of non-orientable manifolds in nature?
Whilst browsing through Marcel Berger's book "A Panoramic View of Riemannian Geometry" and thinking about the Klein bottle, I came across the sentence:
"The unorientable surfaces are never discussed ...
128
votes
12
answers
12k
views
Spectral sequences: opening the black box slowly with an example
My friend and I are attempting to learn about spectral sequences at the moment, and we've noticed a common theme in books about spectral sequences: no one seems to like talking about differentials.
...
- 13.5k
123
votes
25
answers
18k
views
"Mathematics talk" for five year olds
I am trying to prepare a "mathematics talk" for five year olds from my daughter's elementary school. I have given many mathematics talks in my life but this one feels
very tough to prepare. Could the ...
119
votes
6
answers
10k
views
What properties make $[0,1]$ a good candidate for defining fundamental groups?
The title essentially says it all. Consider the category $\mathfrak{Top}_2$ of triples $(J,e_0,e_1)$ where $J$ is a topological space, and $e_i \in J$. There is an obvious generalization of the ...
- 5,759
109
votes
28
answers
41k
views
Why should one still teach Riemann integration?
In the introduction to chapter VIII of Dieudonné's Foundations of Modern Analysis (Volume 1 of his 13-volume Treatise on Analysis), he makes the following argument:
Finally, the reader will ...
90
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Algorithm or theory of diagram chasing
One of the standard parts of homological algebra is "diagram chasing", or equivalent arguments with universal properties in abelian categories. Is there a rigorous theory of diagram chasing, and ...
- 56.6k
87
votes
2
answers
4k
views
History of $\frac d{dt}\tan^{-1}(t)=\frac 1{1+t^2}$
Let $\theta = \tan^{-1}(t)$. Nowadays it is taught:
1º that
$$
\frac{d\theta}{dt} = \frac 1{dt\,/\,d\theta} = \frac 1{1+t^2},
\tag1
$$
2º that, via the fundamental theorem of calculus, this is ...
- 31.5k
86
votes
16
answers
9k
views
Teaching homology via everyday examples
What stories, puzzles, games, paradoxes, toys, etc from everyday life are better understood after learning homology theory?
To be more precise, I am teaching a short course on homology, from ...
83
votes
7
answers
7k
views
Computational complexity of computing homotopy groups of spheres
At various times I've heard the statement that computing the group structure of $\pi_k S^n$ is algorithmic. But I've never come across a reference claiming this.
Is there a precise algorithm ...
- 44.4k
80
votes
15
answers
15k
views
Why torsion is important in (co)homology ?
I've once been told that "torsion in homology and cohomology is regarded by topologists as a very deep and important phenomenon". I presume an analogous statement could be said in the context of ...
80
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Topological cobordisms between smooth manifolds
Wall has calculated enough about the cobordism ring of oriented smooth manifolds that we know that two oriented smooth manifolds are oriented cobordant if and only if they have the same Stiefel--...
- 18.2k
74
votes
51
answers
28k
views
An example of a beautiful proof that would be accessible at the high school level?
The background of my question comes from an observation that what we teach in schools does not always reflect what we practice. Beauty is part of what drives mathematicians, but we rarely talk about ...
70
votes
28
answers
7k
views
Examples where it's useful to know that a mathematical object belongs to some family of objects
For an expository piece I'm writing, it would be useful to have good examples of the following phenomenon:
(1) ${\cal X}$ is a parameterized family of somethings. (Varieties, schemes, manifolds, ...
68
votes
9
answers
10k
views
List of Classifying Spaces and Covers
I am looking for a list of classifying spaces $BG$ of groups $G$ (discrete and/or topological) along with associated covers $EG$; there does not seem to be such cataloging on the web. Or if not a ...
66
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Is $\mathbb{R}^3 \setminus \mathbb{Q}^3$ simply connected?
Similarly is the complement of any countable set in $\mathbb R^3$ simply connected?
Reading around I found plenty of articles discussing the path connectedness $\mathbb R^2 \setminus \mathbb Q^2$ and ...
- 1,187
62
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Atiyah-Singer theorem-a big picture
So far I made several attempts to really learn Atiyah-Singer theorem. In order
to really understand this result a rather broad background is required: you need
to know analysis (pseudodifferential ...
- 9,340
61
votes
4
answers
10k
views
Hirzebruch's motivation of the Todd class
In Prospects in Mathematics (AM-70), Hirzebruch gives a nice discussion of why the formal power series $f(x) = 1 + b_1 x + b_2 x^2 + \dots$ defining the Todd class must be what it is. In particular, ...
- 1,415
59
votes
4
answers
5k
views
When can one continuously prescribe a unit vector orthogonal to a given orthonormal system?
Let $1 \leq k < n$ be natural numbers. Given orthonormal vectors $u_1,\dots,u_k$ in ${\bf R}^n$, one can always find an additional unit vector $v \in {\bf R}^n$ that is orthogonal to the preceding ...
- 114k