How Do Right-Side Homotopies Affect Homotopy Equivalence?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of homotopy equivalence as defined in Hatcher's "Algebraic Topology." A map f: X-->Y is a homotopy equivalence if there exists a map g: Y-->X such that fg is homotopic to the identity map and gf is also homotopic to the identity map. The user seeks clarification on proving that if f is homotopic to the identity and h is another homotopy, then f can be expressed as f composed with the identity homotopy h, denoted as f = f\mathbb{1}h. The discussion also touches on the implications of associativity in homotopies and the handling of transitivity, reflexive, and symmetric properties in this context.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of homotopy equivalence in topology
  • Familiarity with the concepts of identity maps and homotopies
  • Knowledge of transitive, reflexive, and symmetric properties in mathematical contexts
  • Access to Hatcher's "Algebraic Topology" for reference
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of homotopy equivalence in detail
  • Explore the concept of associativity in homotopies
  • Review Exercise 3(a) in Hatcher's "Algebraic Topology" for practical examples
  • Investigate the implications of transitivity, reflexivity, and symmetry in homotopy theory
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, particularly those specializing in algebraic topology, students studying homotopy theory, and anyone interested in the foundational concepts of homotopy equivalence.

Ben2
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Homework Statement
"Show that the composition of homotopy equivalences X-->Y and Y-->Z is a homotopy equivalence X-->Z..."
Relevant Equations
F(x,t) = f_t(x)
"[A] map f: X-->Y is called a \mathbf{homotopy~equivalence} if there is a map g: Y-->X such that fg\cong\mathbb{1} and gf\cong\mathbb{1}," where "cong" means "is homotopic." "The spaces X and Y are said to be \mathbf{homotopy~equivalent}..." Additional definitions are in Hatcher, "Algebraic Topology", of which this is part of Exercise 3(a), p. 18. My difficulty is proving that if f\cong\mathbb{1} and h is another homotopy, then f = f\mathbb{1}h\congh. That is, how do we handle an arbitrary homotopy on the RIGHT? Does this involve "associativity" of homotopies? Thanks!
 
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Apologies for posting! With the conditions given, (hf)(gk) = h(fg)k\congh(\mathbb{1})k = hk\cong\mathbb{1} and (fh)(kg) = f(hk)g\congf\mathbb{1}g = fg\cong\mathbb{1}. This handles transitivity, while the reflexive and symmetric properties are routine. Thanks to everyone who read this!
 
Ben2 said:
Apologies for posting! With the conditions given, (hf)(gk) = h(fg)k\congh(\mathbb{1})k = hk\cong\mathbb{1} and (fh)(kg) = f(hk)g\congf\mathbb{1}g = fg\cong\mathbb{1}. This handles transitivity, while the reflexive and symmetric properties are routine. Thanks to everyone who read this!
Please wrap your Latex with ## or otherwise for easier reading.
 
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Ben2 said:
Apologies for posting! With the conditions given, ##(hf)(gk) = h(fg)k\cong h(\mathbb{1})k = hk\cong\mathbb{1}## and## (fh)(kg) = f(hk)g\cong f\mathbb{1}g = fg\cong\mathbb{1}##. This handles transitivity, while the reflexive and symmetric properties are routine. Thanks to everyone who read this!
 

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