Consider the following space [itex]X[/itex], consisting of two [itex]2[/itex]-spheres and two arcs glued together. Compute its fundamental group.
Since I can't draw a picture online, call the first sphere [itex]S_1[/itex] and call the second sphere [itex]S_2[/itex]. Then one arc connects [itex]x_1 \in S_1[/itex] to [itex]x_2 \in S_2[/itex] and another arc connects [itex]y_1\in S_1[/itex] to [itex]y_2 \in S_2[/itex], where all the points are distinct.
I thought about this problem and contracted the arcs (so it looks like two 2-spheres identified in two points), and I want to use van Kampen. But I'm having a hard time figuring out two open sets [itex]A[/itex] and [itex]B[/itex] so that [itex]A \cup B = X[/itex] and [itex]A\cap B[/itex] is path connected.
Thank you!
Actually, can I contract one of the arcs so that the two 2-spheres touch at one point, then move the points [itex]x_1, x_2, y_1, y_2[/itex] to the point of intersection? Then I have [itex]S^2 \vee S^1\vee S^2[/itex]. Then [itex]\Pi_1(X) = \mathbb{Z}[\itex]. Is this a correct analysis?[/itex]