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Vietoris–Begle mapping theorem

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Vietoris–Begle mapping theorem is a result in the mathematical field of algebraic topology. It is named for Leopold Vietoris and Edward G. Begle. The statement of the theorem, below, is as formulated by Stephen Smale.

Theorem

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Let and be compact metric spaces, and let be surjective and continuous. Suppose that the fibers of are acyclic, so that

for all and all ,

with denoting the th reduced Vietoris homology group. Then, the induced homomorphism

is an isomorphism for and a surjection for .

Note that as stated the theorem doesn't hold for homology theories like singular homology. For example, Vietoris homology groups of the closed topologist's sine curve and of a segment are isomorphic (since the first projects onto the second with acyclic fibers). But the singular homology differs, since the segment is path connected and the topologist's sine curve is not.

References

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