BITS Pilani
Pilani Campus
MATH F311
(Introduction to Topology)
Lecture 1
Introduction to the subject
Dr Trilok Mathur,
BITS Pilani Assistant Professor,
Pilani Campus Department of Mathematics
• The study of properties of a shape that do not change
under deformation
• Rules of deformation
– Onto (all of A all of B)
– 1-1 correspondence (no overlap)
– Bi-continuous, (continuous both ways)
– Can’t tear, join, poke/seal holes
• A is homeomorphic to B
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
• Topology is the study of the intrinsic properties of surfaces that
are independent of distance.
• Intuitively, topological transformations are “rubber sheet”
transformations
Topological A point is at an end-point of an arc
A point is on the boundary of an area
A point is in the interior/exterior of an area
An arc is simple
An area is open/closed/simple
An area is connected
Non-topological Distance between two points
Bearing of one point from another point
Length of an arc
Perimeter of an area 4
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
• What is the boundary of an object?
• Are there holes in the object?
• Is the object hollow?
• If the object is transformed in some way, are the
changes continuous or abrupt?
• Is the object bounded, or does it extend infinitely far?
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
As a student of Mathematics:
Idea of evolution to biology is same as the ideas of topology to
mathematics.
To understand the qualitative (topological) aspects of
geometrical objects such as deformation.
To understand the methods of identifying the spaces i.e. how
the hollow torus is a different space then hollow sphere?
Topological spaces show up naturally in almost every branch of
mathematics. This has made topology one of the great unifying
ideas of mathematics. 6
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
As an Engineering student:
Topology is necessary for certain spatial functions such as
network routing through linear networks.
Topology can be used to create datasets with better quality
control and greater data integrity.
Topological data analysis uses techniques from algebraic
topology to determine the large scale structure of a set (for
instance, determining if a cloud of points is spherical or
toroidal).
7
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
As an Engineering student:
Knot theory, a branch of topology, is used in biology to study
the effects of certain enzymes on DNA.
The topological dependence of mechanical properties in solids
is of interest in disciplines of Mechanical/Metallurgy Engg.
In cosmology, topology can be used to describe the overall
shape of the universe.
In robotics topology can be used for motion planning in
configuration space.
8
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
A bijective (one-to-one and onto)
continuous function with a
continuous inverse is called a
homeomorphism
Homeomorphisms copy topology Torus and cup are
homeomorphic
– homeomorphic spaces are
topologically equivalent
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
f h
c sklm
abde n r t uz
opq vwx y
homeomorphic to homeomorphic to
i j
homeomorphic to
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
• Leonard Euler (1707-1783)
– Königsberg Bridge Problem
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
In 1736 Euler published a paper on the solution of the Königsberg
bridge problem entitled Solutio problematis ad geometriam situs
pertinentis (Solution to the geometry of position).
The title itself indicates that Euler was aware that he was dealing
with a different type of geometry where distance was not relevant.
The next step in freeing mathematics from being a subject about
measurement was also due to Euler. In 1750 he gives his famous
formula for a polyhedron:
v–e+f=2
Before Euler, it had been impossible to think of geometrical
properties without measurement being involved.
12
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
J. J. O’Connor, A history of Topology
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
Vertex Degree
A 3
B 5 C
C 3
D 3
B
D
A graph has a path traversing each edge exactly
once if exactly two vertices have odd degree.
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
Vertex Degree
A 3
B 4 C
C 3
D 2
B
D
A graph has a path traversing each edge exactly
once if exactly two vertices have odd degree.
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
• Leonard Euler (1707-1783)
– Königsberg Bridge Problem
• August Möbius (1790-1868)
– Möbius Strip
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
• A sheet of paper has two sides, a front and
a back, and one edge
• A möbius strip has one side and one edge
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
Plus Magazine ~ Imaging Maths – Inside the Klein Bottle
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
• Leonard Euler (1707-1783)
– Königsberg Bridge Problem
• August Möbius (1790-1868)
– Möbius Strip
• Felix Klein (1849-1925)
– Klein Bottle
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
• A sphere has an inside and an outside and
no edges
• A klein bottle has only an outside and no
edges
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
Plus Magazine ~ Imaging Maths – Inside the Klein Bottle
BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
