# #topology Definition and Topics - 7 Discussions

In mathematics, topology (from the Greek words τόπος, 'place, location', and λόγος, 'study') is concerned with the properties of a geometric object that are preserved under continuous deformations, such as stretching, twisting, crumpling, and bending; that is, without closing holes, opening holes, tearing, gluing, or passing through itself.
A topological space is a set endowed with a structure, called a topology, which allows defining continuous deformation of subspaces, and, more generally, all kinds of continuity. Euclidean spaces, and, more generally, metric spaces are examples of a topological space, as any distance or metric defines a topology. The deformations that are considered in topology are homeomorphisms and homotopies. A property that is invariant under such deformations is a topological property. Basic examples of topological properties are: the dimension, which allows distinguishing between a line and a surface; compactness, which allows distinguishing between a line and a circle; connectedness, which allows distinguishing a circle from two non-intersecting circles.
The ideas underlying topology go back to Gottfried Leibniz, who in the 17th century envisioned the geometria situs and analysis situs. Leonhard Euler's Seven Bridges of Königsberg problem and polyhedron formula are arguably the field's first theorems. The term topology was introduced by Johann Benedict Listing in the 19th century, although it was not until the first decades of the 20th century that the idea of a topological space was developed.

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1. ### I Writing down an explicit homotopy

I understand that a homotopy is a continuous deformation. The only thing I really remember is something in my notes like this: F(s, 0) = a(s) for 0≤s≤1 and F(s, 1) = a * Id(s). Basically I have to construct some sort of piece-wise function such that I go something like two loops half of the time...
2. ### I Proof involving Identity maps

So, this problem I sort of get conceptually but I don't know how I can possibly rewrite (idX)∗ : π1(X) → π1(X). Does this involve group theory? It's supposed to be simple but I honestly I don't see how. Again, any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
3. ### I Describing homeomorphisms with the π1 function

Here is what the problem looks like. The thing is I don't remember what π1is exactly and I don't really know much group theory or know what equivalence classes are. I remember learning some group theory fact that f*(n) = n*f*(1). So, I think (a) was just equal to m since f(1) = 1 and (b) was...
4. ### I Doing proofs with the variety function and the Zariski topology

I included this image because it is easier than typing it out. Anyway, this is an old problem I need to catch up on. I have a clue as to how to do part a. I could say given an x that is a member of ∩V(Ai) which implies that x is a member of V(Ai) for ∀i. Then we can say ∀i all polynomials are in...
5. ### I Proving a function f is continuous given A U B = X

Basically with this problem, I need to show that f is continuous if A and B are open and if A and B are closed. My initial thoughts are that in the first case X must be open since unions of open sets are open. My question is that am I allowed to assume open sets exist in Y? Because then I can...
6. ### I Show that (0, oo) is homeomorphic to (0, 1)

So, I already have a function in mind: tan(pi*x - pi/2) that maps (0, 1) to (0, oo). I just forget how to rigorously show that a function is continuous. I was hoping to get some help on showing that this tangent function I just wrote is continuous (not the topological definition, just like the...
7. ### I Show R^2 \{(0,0)} and {(x,y) | 1 < sqrt(x^2+y^2) < 3} are homeomorphic

As I said in the summary, I don't really know how to even figure out which function would be appropriate to map the two sets that I described in the title. I'm using the book called Basic Topology by M.A. Armstrong. The book can sometimes be really dense. I am having a really hard time knowing...