Prove that diffeomorphisms are between manifolds with the same dimension

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that diffeomorphisms exist only between manifolds of the same dimension, focusing on theoretical aspects and mathematical reasoning, particularly utilizing the implicit function theorem and the inverse function theorem.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant defines a diffeomorphism as a one-to-one mapping where both the function and its inverse are continuously differentiable, seeking a proof regarding the dimensions of manifolds involved.
  • Another participant suggests that if two sets are diffeomorphic, their tangent spaces must be isomorphic, implying that the dimensions must be equal.
  • A participant proposes a proof by contradiction, assuming different dimensions for U and V and applying Sard's theorem and the implicit function theorem to reach a contradiction.
  • Another participant mentions that the Inverse Function Theorem indicates that the differential of the map must be invertible, leading to the conclusion that the dimensions must match.
  • One participant reiterates the definition of diffeomorphism and suggests showing that charts on one manifold correspond to charts on the other as part of the proof.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple approaches and reasoning for the proof, indicating a lack of consensus on a singular method or conclusion. Various proofs are proposed, but no agreement is reached on a definitive resolution.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments depend on the application of specific theorems, such as the implicit function theorem and Sard's theorem, which may have limitations based on the assumptions made about the mappings and the manifolds involved.

feynman137
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My definition of diffeomorphism is a one-to-one mapping f:U->V, such that f and f^{-1} are both continuously differentiable. Now, how to prove that if f is a diffeomorphism between euclidean sets U and V, then U and V must be in spaces with equal dimension (using the implicit function theorem)?
 
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Hi feynman137! :smile:

What about following reasoning:
If U and V are diffeomorphic, then the tangents spaces at some points must be isomorphic. But the tangent space at U is \mathbb{R}^n and the tangent space at V is \mathbb{R}^m, and these are only isomorphic when n=m.
 
By contradiction.
Assume U sits in R^n and V sits in R^m, and assume without loss of generality that n>m.
By Sard's theorem, there is a point p in U such that f satisfies the hypothesis of the the implicit fct theorem (Df(p) is surjective, so modulo a reindexing of the coordinates, the nxn submatrix of the last partial derivatives is nonsingular). Set v:=f(p).
The implicit function theorem says that locally, the level set f^{-1}(v) looks like the graph of some function g: There is an open set R = A x B in R^{n-m} x R^{n} and g:A-->B such that R n f^{-1}(v) = graph(g).

However, if f is a diffeomorphism, f^{-1}(v) = {p}: contradiction.
 
Looking for a book!

Hi,

I am looking for a book " Transversal Mappings and Flows" written by Ralph Abraham and J. Robbin. I can not find it at any library in my country. Also if you have a Pdf or Djvu format, can you send it to me. It will help me by reading Hutchings lecture notes. This is my e-mail address: seydunas84@hotmail.com
 
feynman137 said:
My definition of diffeomorphism is a one-to-one mapping f:U->V, such that f and f^{-1} are both continuously differentiable. Now, how to prove that if f is a diffeomorphism between euclidean sets U and V, then U and V must be in spaces with equal dimension (using the implicit function theorem)?

try showing that charts on one manifold are carried into charts on the other.
 
Yet another proof:
The Inverse Function Theorem would give you an mxn matrix for the differential of the map between R^n and R^m; in a diffeomorphism, the matrix would be invertible, so that you need m=n.
 

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