Can the Homotopy Extension Property be applied to all dimensions and spaces?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Ant farm
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Extension Property
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the homotopy extension property to pairs of spaces, specifically examining the case of (R^2, S^1) and extending the argument to (R^n, S^(n-1)). Participants explore the definitions, provide examples, and challenge each other's reasoning regarding the mapping cylinder and the conditions necessary for the property to hold.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines a proof for (R^2, S^1) using a mapping cylinder neighborhood and proposes that the same reasoning can be applied to (R^n, S^(n-1)).
  • Another participant challenges the initial proof, stating that the mapping cylinder must be defined based on a specific map and that the identification of the mapping cylinder was arbitrary.
  • A request is made for a detailed statement of the property being proved, indicating a need for clarity in the discussion.
  • A definition of the homotopy extension property is provided, emphasizing the conditions under which the extension problem can be solved.
  • One participant suggests a simpler example involving R^1 and a unit interval to illustrate the extension of maps, proposing a method of projection and retraction to demonstrate the property.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the correctness of the initial proof and the definition of the mapping cylinder. There is no consensus on the validity of the proposed approach or the extension to higher dimensions.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of defining maps correctly and the need for clarity in the application of the homotopy extension property. The discussion reveals uncertainties about the assumptions underlying the mapping cylinder and the conditions necessary for the property to hold in higher dimensions.

Ant farm
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
Hi there,

I've been asked to prove that (R^2, S^1) has the homtopy extension property and then extend it to the general case: (R^n, S^(n-1))
here's where I've got so far,
for (R^2, S^1) Let S^1=A, R^2=X
well S^1 is contained in R^2, so by a theorem, if A contained in X, has a mapping cylinder neighbourhood N, then (X,A) has the homotopy extension property.

so, let N= {x ; 0.5 <=||x||<= 1.5}, N is closed, A is contained in N. Let b_1={x ; 0.5=||x||} and b_2= {x ; 1.5=||x||} , let B= b_1 union b_2. then B=the boundary of N, B closed implies N\B is open, and A is contained in N\B, so N is a mapping cylinder neighbourhood.

Now, let f: B->A

M_f (mapping cylinder) = [(BxI) disjoint union A]/~ where, for x belonging to B, (x,1)~f(x)
= [(b_2 x [0,0.5] union b_1 x [-0.5,0]) disjoint union A]/~
isomorphic to Ax[-1,1].

Define a homeomorphism
h: Ax[-1,1] -> N by h(e^itheta, t) =(t+1)e^itheta for t belonging to [-1,1] and theta belonging to [0, 2Pi]

Then Ax[-1,1] is isomorphic to N and h restricted to A union B = Identity.

Hence N is a mapping cylinder neighbourhood of A and therefore, (X,A) has the Homotopy extension Property.


is this correct, particularly the bold bit, and do i just have to set A= S^(n-1) and X= R^n, for it to work in the cases for other dimensons?

Thank You
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No, the bold part is where your mistake is. You need to define a map f, and then the mapping cylinder is determined by this as you wrote. You seem to have arbitrarily identified some set that you want to be the mapping cylinder without using the definition. Once you have the mapping cylinder (which is its own space) you need to show it's homeomorphic to N, taking B to B and A to A. Here's a hint: f won't be injective.
 
for my benefit would you please state in detail the property you want to prove?
 
I was firstly asked to prove that (R^2, S^1) has the homotopy extension property.


Definition of Homotopy extension property: suppose one is given a map f_0:X->y, for A contained in X. and there exists a homotopy f_t: A->y of f_0 restricted to A that one would like to extend to a homotopy f_t:X->y of f_0.
If (X,A) is such that this extension problem can always be solved, then (X,A) has the homotopy extension property.
 
you want to show any map defined on the union of the plane and a cylindder passing through the plane perpendicularly, extends to three space.

That seems obvious. \\here is a simple example. consider the product of R^1 with the unit interval [0,1].

then in there, take the subset R^1 x {0} union {0} x [0,1] union {1} x [0,1].you have a map defiend on the second sett hat you want to extend to the fiorst set. just retract the first set ointo the seconmd one.

say project the set [0,1] x [0,1] back onto {0}x [0,1] union [0,1] x {0} union {1} x [0,1], by projecting from the point (1/2, 1).

then project the rest of the first set back onto the second set by projecting from say the points (-1, 1) and (2,1).

then composing the retraction with the map of the subset gives the extension.notice i have just done the case of the pair (R^1, S^0).
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K