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Homology: Understanding Mathematical Holes

Homology is a mathematical procedure that associates a sequence of abelian groups or modules to a given mathematical object such as a topological space or group. For a topological space, homology groups are generally easier to compute than homotopy groups and can aid in classifying spaces. Homology provides a rigorous way to define and categorize holes in a shape, though some subtle holes may require using homotopy groups instead.

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74 views3 pages

Homology: Understanding Mathematical Holes

Homology is a mathematical procedure that associates a sequence of abelian groups or modules to a given mathematical object such as a topological space or group. For a topological space, homology groups are generally easier to compute than homotopy groups and can aid in classifying spaces. Homology provides a rigorous way to define and categorize holes in a shape, though some subtle holes may require using homotopy groups instead.

Uploaded by

Darshan12ad
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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In mathematics (especially algebraic topology and abstract algebra), homology (in part

from Greek homos "identical") is a certain general procedure to associate


asequence of abelian groups or modules ith a gi!en mathematical ob"ect such as a topological
space or a group# $ee singular homology for a concrete !ersion for topological spaces, or group
cohomology for a concrete !ersion for groups#
%or a topological space, the homology groups are generally much easier to compute than
the homotopy groups, and consequently one usually ill ha!e an easier time orking ith
homology to aid in the classification of spaces#
&he original moti!ation for defining homology groups is the obser!ation that shapes are
distinguished by their holes# 'ut because a hole is "not there", it is not immediately ob!ious ho
to define a hole, or ho to distinguish beteen different kinds of holes# (omology is a rigorous
mathematical method for defining and categori)ing holes in a shape# *s it turns out, subtle kinds
of holes e+ist that homology cannot "see" , in hich case homotopy groups may be hat is
needed#
Informal examples[edit]
Informally, the homology of a topological space X is a set of topological
in!ariants of X represented by its homology groups
here the homology group describes the k-dimensional holes in X# * .-
dimensional hole is simply a gap beteen to components, consequently describes
the path-connected components of X#
/01
&he circle or 0-sphere
* one-dimensional sphere is a circle# It has a single connected component and a one-
dimensional hole, but no higher-dimensional holes# &he corresponding homology groups are
gi!en as
here is the group of integers and is the tri!ial group# &he group
represents a finitely-generated abelian group, ith a single generator representing the
one-dimensional hole contained in a circle#
/21
&he 2-sphere
* to-dimensional sphere has a single connected component, no one-dimensional
holes, a to-dimensional hole, and no higher-dimensional holes# &he corresponding
homology groups are
/21
In general for an n-dimensional sphere S
n
, the homology groups are
&he solid disc or 0-ball
* one-dimensional ball B
0
is a solid disc# It has a single path-connected
component, but in contrast to the circle, has no one-dimensional or higher-
dimensional holes# &he corresponding homology groups are all tri!ial e+cept
for # In general, for an n-dimensional ball B
n
,
/21
&he torus
&he torus is defined as a 3artesian product of to circles #
&he torus has a single path-connected component, to independent one-
dimensional holes (indicated by circles in red and blue) and one to-
dimensional hole as the interior of the torus# &he corresponding homology
groups are
/41
&he to independent 05 holes form independent generators in a
finitely-generated abelian group, e+pressed as the 3artesian product
group #

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