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Questions tagged [euler-characteristics]

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Partial sums of Möbius function and Euler characteristic of a simplicial complex for closed sets of a topology on the prime powers?

In A cell complex in number theory by Anders Björner, 2011 a number theoretic cell complex is described which has the property that the Euler characteristic is related to the Mertens function: $$M(n) =...
0 votes
0 answers
147 views

Noether's formula for real algebraic surfaces

Is there a version of Noether's formula for the Euler characteristic of a surface for Real algebraic surfaces? Specifically, given $X$ a real algebraic compact smooth surface, what is the relationship ...
4 votes
0 answers
202 views

Possible Euler characteristics of manifolds with tangential structures

Let $p:B\to BO$ be a fibration. We say that a manifold has a $B$-structure if its stable tangent bundle lifts to $B$. I am interested in the question of whether there exists, for a given even ...
3 votes
0 answers
77 views

Is it known whether a homeomorphism close to the identity of a compact manifold with nonzero Euler characteristic necessarily has a fixed point?

I recently saw in Kirby's list of open problems that it isn't known if two commuting homeomorphisms of a compact manifold close to the identity necessarily share a common fixed point, when the ...
3 votes
0 answers
148 views

Grothendieck ring of varieties in positive characteristic, away from the characteristic

In "The universal Euler characteristic for varieties of characteristic zero", Bittner shows that over a field $k$ of characteristic zero, the Grothendieck ring $K_{0}(Var_{k})$ of varieties ...
4 votes
0 answers
202 views

Fibrations and Euler characteristics with bad fundamental group

Consider a fibration $F\to E\to B$ where $H^i(F;\mathbb{Q})$ and $H^i(B;\mathbb{Q})$ are finite-dimensional, and they vanish for $i\gg 0$, and $B$ is connected. However, we do not assume that $B$ is ...
1 vote
0 answers
81 views

Polynomiality of the equivariant Euler characteristic of a sheaf tensored with a standard line bundle on the flag variety

Let ${\mathcal B}=Fl(V)$ be the variety of complete flags in an $(m+2n)$-dimensional vector space $V$ over $\mathbb C$. Then we have the standard line bundles $\mathcal{O}(\lambda)$ on $\mathcal B$ ...
4 votes
0 answers
99 views

When can the trace on cohomology be computed as the Euler characteristic of fixed points?

In this question all groups are finite, and all spaces are nice (eg, simplicial sets). Given a $G$ space $X$, which we assume has finitely many nonzero cohomology groups, we can compute the trace of ...
13 votes
2 answers
586 views

When are bundles of odd and even differential forms isomorphic?

Let $M$ be a compact oriented $n$-manifold. Denote $\Omega^k := {\bigwedge}^k T^*M$ the vector bundle of differential $k$-forms, and let $\Omega^{\text{odd}} := \bigoplus_{\text{$k$ odd}} \Omega^k$ ...
5 votes
0 answers
244 views

Does the (Poincare) dual complex represent the same topology?

To start with, consider some abstract $3$-dimensional simplicial complex $\Delta$ representing a manifold without boundary, for simplicity. Then, there is this well-known construction of the "(...
32 votes
4 answers
3k views

Spectrum of the Grothendieck ring of varieties

Here's a problem that may ultimately require just simple algebraic-geometry skills to be solved, or perhaps it's very deep and will never be solved at all. From the comments, some literature and my ...
4 votes
0 answers
211 views

Signed number of pieces in a decomposition in the Grothendieck ring of varieties

Let $X/k$ be a (geometrically integral and connected) variety over $k$ either a field of characteristic $0$ or a finite field. Let $[X] = \sum_{i\in I}[Y_i] - \sum_{j\in J}[Z_j]$ be a decomposition ...
11 votes
0 answers
629 views

Can this be interpreted as one Euler characteristic?

Let $[n]:=\{1,\cdots,n\}$. It is known that $\{\log(p) \mid p \text{ is prime }\}$ is linearly independent over $\mathbb{Q}$. For a subset $A \subset [n]$ we can consider the matrix $L(A):=(\log(x) \...
3 votes
1 answer
539 views

Euler characteristic of pseudomanifolds with boundary

It is a well-known fact that for every compact oriented odd-dimensional manifold $\mathcal{M}$ with boundary it holds that $$\chi(\mathcal{M})=\frac{1}{2}\chi(\partial\mathcal{M}).$$ In particular, if ...
7 votes
0 answers
181 views

In what sense do the real and complex places correspond to setting q equal to 1 or -1?

It often happens that if we have a scheme $X/\mathbb Z$ (or an open subset thereof) and we denote by $p(q) = X(\mathbb F_q)$, then $p(1)$ and $p(-1)$ compute the euler characteristic of $X(\mathbb C)$ ...
3 votes
0 answers
145 views

Is the secondary Euler characteristic a categorical trace?

Context: The ordinary Euler characteristic of a complex (satisfying appropriate finiteness conditions so that all cohomology groups are finite-dimensional over some field ''k'', say, and only finitely ...
8 votes
2 answers
294 views

Euler characteristic of the simplicial complex of sets of elements in a semilattice with non-zero meet

In a combinatorial computation, I came across the following quantity: Consider a finite meet semilattice $L$, that is, a finite poset which is closed under $\min$. Denote the least element of $L$ by $...
3 votes
1 answer
417 views

Variation of Euler characteristic when the sheaf is not flat

Let $f:X \to Y$ be a flat, projective morphism with $Y$ integral and every fiber of $f$ normal and integral. Let $F$ be a torsion-free, coherent sheaf on $X$ (not necessarily flat over $Y$). Then, is ...
7 votes
1 answer
500 views

Refined Euler characteristic

Is there a refinement of Euler characteristic that distinguishes between the torus $S^1 \times S^1$ and the cylinder $S^1 \times [0,1]$? (The intuition here is that $\chi$ is multiplicative, so that $...
12 votes
1 answer
521 views

Source of a quote by Ferdinand Rudio

I am looking for the source and context of this quote, found e.g. at St Andrews: Only with the greatest difficulty is one able to follow the writings of any author preceding Euler, because it was ...
32 votes
3 answers
4k views

Did ancient mathematicians know Euler's characteristic for convex polyhedra?

The formula $V-E+F=2$ is so simple that I can't believe that it was really Euler (or perhaps Descartes) who first observed it (I mean the formula itself in some generality, not necessarily a valid ...
2 votes
0 answers
72 views

A version of Hurwitz' theorem in terms of Euler characteristic

Page 203 of Farb and Margalit's Primer on Mapping Class Groups contains the result: Let $g ≥ 2$. The order of any finite subgroup of $MCG(S_g)$ is at most $84(g − 1)$. I've been told by my ...
3 votes
1 answer
276 views

Intuition for the Euler form in a finitary category

Suppose that $\mathcal{C}$ is a finitary category, so for any two objects $A$ and $B$ we have that $|\mathrm{Ext}^i(A,B)| < \infty$ for $i\geq 0$, suppose $\mathcal{C}$ has finite global dimension, ...
2 votes
0 answers
98 views

Compact $G$-ENR's and Euler characteristic computed with Alexander-Spanier cohomology with compact support

Let $(Z,A)$ a compact ENR pair, then $$\chi(Z)=\chi_c(Z-A)+\chi(A)$$ where $\chi_c$ is the Euler characteristic taken in Alexander-Spanier cohomology with compact support (ENR means euclidean ...
3 votes
0 answers
126 views

Properties of a generalization (regularization) of the Euler characteristic?

Intro: This question is about a version of the Euler characteristic for infinite dimensional chain complexes. I have no idea if this is a pre-existing concept, that's essentially what my query is ...
2 votes
1 answer
467 views

Euler Characteristic of $SL_m(\mathbb{C})/SO_m(\mathbb{C})$

As described in the title, what is the (topological) Euler characteristic of the homogeneous space $SL_m(\mathbb{C})/SO_m(\mathbb{C})$?
1 vote
0 answers
427 views

On Lefschetz theorem and sum of Betti numbers as lower bounds for fixed points

Let $M$ be a closed manifold with holomorphic cell decomposition (if it is complex), or at least with only even cohomology. In particular, its Euler characteristic is equal to the sum of its Betti ...
3 votes
1 answer
487 views

Is this line of thought (using linear algebra to get number theoretic results) already being pursued in the literature?

Let $Log(n) = \sum_{i=1}^r \alpha_i \cdot e_i$, where $n = \prod_{i=1}^r p_i^{\alpha_i}$ and $p_i$ is the $i$-th prime, $\alpha_i \ge 0$, $e_i$ is the $i$-th standard basis vector. For example $6 = 2\...
8 votes
1 answer
243 views

Compact simply-connected homogeneous symplectic manifold

I was reading a paper in which the authors use the fact that any compact simply-connected homogeneous symplectic manifold has non-zero Euler characteristic. They prove it by quoting a theorem by ...
0 votes
1 answer
302 views

On the notion of multiplicity of a fixed point [closed]

I am trying to understand the notion of multiplicity of a fixed point of a map $f: M \to M$, say, $M$ being a smooth closed manifold, and $f$ being a smooth diffeomorphism. There is a notion of ...
16 votes
3 answers
3k views

Multiplicativity of Euler characteristic for non-orientable fibrations

Let $E\to B$ be a fibration with fiber F, and assume for simplicity that B is connected. Suppose moreover that B and F have Euler characteristics (perhaps they are manifolds). Then often, one can ...
7 votes
1 answer
615 views

Compactification of open manifolds in the form of a manifold( with zero Euler characteristic)

Edit: According to the interesting comments of Michael Albanese and Nick L we revise the question as follows: By manifold compactification of a manifold $M$ we mean a compact manifold $\tilde{M}$ ...
3 votes
0 answers
368 views

Integral of Gaussian curvature multiplied by mean curvature

Let $M$ be a 3-manifold with positive definite metric $g$, and let $S\subset M$ be an oriented 2-surface. For $x\in S$ let $K(x)$ be the Gaussian curvature and $H(x)$ be the mean curvature of $S$ at ...
3 votes
1 answer
688 views

Higher Euler characteristics (possible generalizations)

Let $X$ be projective and Gorenstein (over $\mathbb{C}$), of dimension $n$, then $\chi(\mathcal{O}_X)=(-1)^n\chi(\omega_X)$. Hence a "generalization": $\chi(\omega^{\otimes k}_X)$. I'd like ...
9 votes
1 answer
561 views

"Mathai-Quillen-type" form on $M\times M$?

Let $(M,g)$ be a compact, oriented, $(2n)$-dimensional Riemannian manifold. I'm wondering whether there is a "canonical" construction of a $(2n)$-form $\eta_g$ on $M\times M$, such that $\eta_g$ is ...
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

For which classes of topological spaces Euler characteristics is defined?

I would like to know something more than what is written on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euler_characteristic What would be some large (largest?) class of topological spaces for which $\chi$...
5 votes
1 answer
797 views

Euler characteristic of local system depends only on rank?

Let $X$ be a proper variety over a finite field $k$ of characteristic $p>0$, and let $\mathcal F$ be a finite rank $\mathbb F_\ell$ local system on (the etale site of) $X$. Is it true (and, if so, ...
1 vote
0 answers
497 views

Invariance of combinatorial/geometric euler characteristic

I am trying to read and understand the paper: TARGET ENUMERATION VIA EULER CHARACTERISTIC INTEGRALS by YULIY BARYSHNIKOV AND ROBERT GHRIST. And I am having trouble with a statement. First of all, ...
23 votes
6 answers
2k views

Is there a topological description of combinatorial Euler characteristic?

There are a collection of definitions of "combinatorial Euler characteristic", which is different from the "homotopy Euler characteristic". I will describe a few of them and give some references, and ...
1 vote
0 answers
710 views

What is the significance of the $-1$-simplex?

The number of $k$-simplex elements in an $n$-simplex is counted by the binomial coefficient $\binom{n+1}{k+1}$. For example, the $3$-simplex is the tetrahedron, which has the following elements: $4$ ...
18 votes
4 answers
2k views

Spaces that are both homotopically and cohomologically finite

Is it true that every connected space with 1) just finitely many nontrivial homotopy groups, all finite, and 2) just finitely many nontrivial rational cohomology groups, all finite rank, is ...
10 votes
2 answers
1k views

Euler characteristic, Gauss-Bonnet, and a product formula

I know very little about the Pfaffian or how it works, and I'm new at Riemannian geometry in general. But I was wondering if there is some way to make this "intuitive" argument for the fact that a ...
3 votes
0 answers
172 views

Non-multiplicative Euler-Poincaré Characteristics

Are there known examples of a non-multiplicative Euler-Poincaré characteristic on varieties? Let $\mathbf{Var}/k$ be the category of varieties over a filed $k$, i.e. the category of reduced separated ...
10 votes
1 answer
3k views

Euler Characteristic of a Variety

Let $Y$ be a "nice" scheme. I am thinking projective varieties over an algebraically closed field, for now, but I am open to more general results. In terms of singular homology (...
11 votes
3 answers
1k views

In Gromov-Witten theory, why is the string coupling constant weighted by $2g-2$?

Let $X$ be a Calabi-Yau threefold and let us fix a homology class $\beta\in H_2(X,\mathbb Z)$, just for simplicity. The generating series of Gromov-Witten invariants of $X$ in class $\beta$, $$\mathsf ...
0 votes
1 answer
195 views

Triviality of certain vector bundles

Let $M$ be a smooth manifold and let $SM$ be the bundle of symmetric bi-linear forms on $TM.$ Riemannian metrics are a particular kind of sections in this bundle. Since any manifold admits a global ...
8 votes
1 answer
483 views

Generalized Euler characteristics of non-motivic origin

By a generalized Euler characteristic $\chi$, I mean an isomorphism invariant $\chi(V)$ inside some abelian group $A$, defined for every varietiy $V$ over a field $k$, with the property that, for all ...
12 votes
1 answer
818 views

Does the Grothendieck ring of varieties contain torsion?

Let $K_0(Var_k)$ be the abelian group generated by the isomorphism classes of varieties over the field $k$ with the relations $$[X]=[U]+[X\setminus U]$$ for every variety $X$ and open subvariety $U$. ...
5 votes
1 answer
690 views

What is the Euler characteristic of a mapping space?

Suppose that $A$ and $B$ are topological spaces homotopy equivalent to finite cell complexes, and let $B^A = \mathrm{maps}(A,B)$ denote the space of maps from $A$ to $B$. Is it there a formula for ...
2 votes
0 answers
236 views

The Euler characteristic of Hilbert series

The Hilbert series of a graded vector space $V=\bigoplus_{n\mathbb Z}V_n$ is the (ordinary) generating function of the dimensions of its homogeneous components, $h_V(t)=\sum_{n\in\mathbb Z}t^n\dim V_n$...