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Algebraic Topology

Attach a group to a space so that continuous maps become homomorphisms. Then the question "are these two spaces the same shape?" becomes an algebra computation, which is how we know a doughnut is not a sphere.

บทเรียน

Symbols used here

G \cong H,\ G / N
isomorphic, quotient group
Same structure; the group of cosets of a normal subgroup N.
\pi_1(X),\ H_n(X),\ \chi
fundamental group, homology, Euler characteristic
Loops up to deformation; holes in each dimension; V − E + F.

Questions people ask

What does the fundamental group measure?

Loops in a space up to deformation. In a plane every loop shrinks to a point (trivial group); around a hole a loop can wind n times (the integers).

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