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Steenrod Algebra
In algebraic topology, a Steenrod algebra was defined by to be the algebra of stable cohomology operations for mod p cohomology. For a given prime number p, the Steenrod algebra A_p is the graded Hopf algebra over the field \mathbb_p of order p, consisting of all stable cohomology operations for mod p cohomology. It is generated by the Steenrod squares introduced by for p=2, and by the Steenrod reduced pth powers introduced in and the Bockstein homomorphism for p>2. The term "Steenrod algebra" is also sometimes used for the algebra of cohomology operations of a generalized cohomology theory. Cohomology operations A cohomology operation is a natural transformation between cohomology functors. For example, if we take cohomology with coefficients in a ring R, the cup product squaring operation yields a family of cohomology operations: :H^n(X;R) \to H^(X;R) :x \mapsto x \smile x. Cohomology operations need not be homomorphisms of graded rings; see the Cartan formula below. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Algebraic Topology
Algebraic topology is a branch of mathematics that uses tools from abstract algebra to study topological spaces. The basic goal is to find algebraic invariants that classify topological spaces up to homeomorphism, though usually most classify up to homotopy equivalence. Although algebraic topology primarily uses algebra to study topological problems, using topology to solve algebraic problems is sometimes also possible. Algebraic topology, for example, allows for a convenient proof that any subgroup of a free group is again a free group. Main branches of algebraic topology Below are some of the main areas studied in algebraic topology: Homotopy groups In mathematics, homotopy groups are used in algebraic topology to classify topological spaces. The first and simplest homotopy group is the fundamental group, which records information about loops in a space. Intuitively, homotopy groups record information about the basic shape, or holes, of a topological space. Homolog ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stiefel–Whitney Class
In mathematics, in particular in algebraic topology and differential geometry, the Stiefel–Whitney classes are a set of topological invariants of a real vector bundle that describe the obstructions to constructing everywhere independent sets of sections of the vector bundle. Stiefel–Whitney classes are indexed from 0 to ''n'', where ''n'' is the rank of the vector bundle. If the Stiefel–Whitney class of index ''i'' is nonzero, then there cannot exist (n-i+1) everywhere linearly independent sections of the vector bundle. A nonzero ''n''th Stiefel–Whitney class indicates that every section of the bundle must vanish at some point. A nonzero first Stiefel–Whitney class indicates that the vector bundle is not orientable. For example, the first Stiefel–Whitney class of the Möbius strip, as a line bundle over the circle, is not zero, whereas the first Stiefel–Whitney class of the trivial line bundle over the circle, S^1 \times\R, is zero. The Stiefel–Whitney class ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vector Space
In mathematics and physics, a vector space (also called a linear space) is a set whose elements, often called '' vectors'', may be added together and multiplied ("scaled") by numbers called '' scalars''. Scalars are often real numbers, but can be complex numbers or, more generally, elements of any field. The operations of vector addition and scalar multiplication must satisfy certain requirements, called ''vector axioms''. The terms real vector space and complex vector space are often used to specify the nature of the scalars: real coordinate space or complex coordinate space. Vector spaces generalize Euclidean vectors, which allow modeling of physical quantities, such as forces and velocity, that have not only a magnitude, but also a direction. The concept of vector spaces is fundamental for linear algebra, together with the concept of matrix, which allows computing in vector spaces. This provides a concise and synthetic way for manipulating and studying systems of li ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Finite Field
In mathematics, a finite field or Galois field (so-named in honor of Évariste Galois) is a field that contains a finite number of elements. As with any field, a finite field is a set on which the operations of multiplication, addition, subtraction and division are defined and satisfy certain basic rules. The most common examples of finite fields are given by the integers mod when is a prime number. The ''order'' of a finite field is its number of elements, which is either a prime number or a prime power. For every prime number and every positive integer there are fields of order p^k, all of which are isomorphic. Finite fields are fundamental in a number of areas of mathematics and computer science, including number theory, algebraic geometry, Galois theory, finite geometry, cryptography and coding theory. Properties A finite field is a finite set which is a field; this means that multiplication, addition, subtraction and division (excluding division by zero) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dual Steenrod Algebra
In algebraic topology, through an algebraic operation (dualization), there is an associated commutative algebra from the noncommutative Steenrod algebras called the dual Steenrod algebra. This dual algebra has a number of surprising benefits, such as being commutative and provided technical tools for computing the Adams spectral sequence in many cases (such as \pi_*(MU)pg 61-62) with much ease. Definition Recallpg 59 that the Steenrod algebra \mathcal_p^* (also denoted \mathcal^*) is a graded noncommutative Hopf algebra which is cocommutative, meaning its comultiplication is cocommutative. This implies if we take the dual Hopf algebra, denoted \mathcal_, or just \mathcal_*, then this gives a graded-commutative algebra which has a noncommutative comultiplication. We can summarize this duality through dualizing a commutative diagram of the Steenrod's Hopf algebra structure:\mathcal_p^* \xrightarrow \mathcal_p^* \otimes \mathcal_p^* \xrightarrow \mathcal_p^*If we dualize we get maps\m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Primitive Element (co-algebra)
In algebra, a primitive element of a co-algebra ''C'' (over an element ''g'') is an element ''x'' that satisfies :\mu(x) = x \otimes g + g \otimes x where \mu is the co-multiplication and ''g'' is an element of ''C'' that maps to the multiplicative identity 1 of the base field under the co-unit (''g'' is called ''group-like''). If ''C'' is a bi-algebra, i.e., a co-algebra that is also an algebra (with certain compatibility conditions satisfied), then one usually takes ''g'' to be 1, the multiplicative identity of ''C''. The bi-algebra ''C'' is said to be primitively generated if it is generated by primitive elements (as an algebra). If ''C'' is a bi-algebra, then the set of primitive elements form a Lie algebra with the usual commutator bracket , y= xy - yx (graded commutator if ''C'' is graded). If ''A'' is a connected graded cocommutative Hopf algebra over a field of characteristic zero, then the Milnor–Moore theorem states the universal enveloping algebra In mathematics, the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polynomial Algebra
In mathematics, especially in the field of algebra, a polynomial ring or polynomial algebra is a ring (which is also a commutative algebra) formed from the set of polynomials in one or more indeterminates (traditionally also called variables) with coefficients in another ring, often a field. Often, the term "polynomial ring" refers implicitly to the special case of a polynomial ring in one indeterminate over a field. The importance of such polynomial rings relies on the high number of properties that they have in common with the ring of the integers. Polynomial rings occur and are often fundamental in many parts of mathematics such as number theory, commutative algebra, and algebraic geometry. In ring theory, many classes of rings, such as unique factorization domains, regular rings, group rings, rings of formal power series, Ore polynomials, graded rings, have been introduced for generalizing some properties of polynomial rings. A closely related notion is that of t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dual Space
In mathematics, any vector space ''V'' has a corresponding dual vector space (or just dual space for short) consisting of all linear forms on ''V'', together with the vector space structure of pointwise addition and scalar multiplication by constants. The dual space as defined above is defined for all vector spaces, and to avoid ambiguity may also be called the . When defined for a topological vector space, there is a subspace of the dual space, corresponding to continuous linear functionals, called the ''continuous dual space''. Dual vector spaces find application in many branches of mathematics that use vector spaces, such as in tensor analysis with finite-dimensional vector spaces. When applied to vector spaces of functions (which are typically infinite-dimensional), dual spaces are used to describe measures, distributions, and Hilbert spaces. Consequently, the dual space is an important concept in functional analysis. Early terms for ''dual'' include ''polarer Raum' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Co-commutative
In mathematics, coalgebras or cogebras are structures that are dual (in the category-theoretic sense of reversing arrows) to unital associative algebras. The axioms of unital associative algebras can be formulated in terms of commutative diagrams. Turning all arrows around, one obtains the axioms of coalgebras. Every coalgebra, by ( vector space) duality, gives rise to an algebra, but not in general the other way. In finite dimensions, this duality goes in both directions ( see below). Coalgebras occur naturally in a number of contexts (for example, representation theory, universal enveloping algebras and group schemes). There are also F-coalgebras, with important applications in computer science. Informal discussion One frequently recurring example of coalgebras occurs in representation theory, and in particular, in the representation theory of the rotation group. A primary task, of practical use in physics, is to obtain combinations of systems with different states of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Comultiplication
In mathematics, coalgebras or cogebras are structures that are dual (in the category-theoretic sense of reversing arrows) to unital associative algebras. The axioms of unital associative algebras can be formulated in terms of commutative diagrams. Turning all arrows around, one obtains the axioms of coalgebras. Every coalgebra, by (vector space) duality, gives rise to an algebra, but not in general the other way. In finite dimensions, this duality goes in both directions ( see below). Coalgebras occur naturally in a number of contexts (for example, representation theory, universal enveloping algebras and group schemes). There are also F-coalgebras, with important applications in computer science. Informal discussion One frequently recurring example of coalgebras occurs in representation theory, and in particular, in the representation theory of the rotation group. A primary task, of practical use in physics, is to obtain combinations of systems with different states of angul ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cap Product
In algebraic topology the cap product is a method of adjoining a chain of degree ''p'' with a cochain of degree ''q'', such that ''q'' ≤ ''p'', to form a composite chain of degree ''p'' − ''q''. It was introduced by Eduard Čech in 1936, and independently by Hassler Whitney in 1938. Definition Let ''X'' be a topological space and ''R'' a coefficient ring. The cap product is a bilinear map on singular homology and cohomology :\frown\;: H_p(X;R)\times H^q(X;R) \rightarrow H_(X;R). defined by contracting a singular chain \sigma : \Delta\ ^p \rightarrow\ X with a singular cochain \psi \in C^q(X;R), by the formula : : \sigma \frown \psi = \psi(\sigma, _) \sigma, _. Here, the notation \sigma, _ indicates the restriction of the simplicial map \sigma to its face spanned by the vectors of the base, see Simplex. Interpretation In analogy with the interpretation of the cup product in terms of the Künneth formula, we can explain the existence of the cap product in the follow ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Contractible Space
In mathematics, a topological space ''X'' is contractible if the identity map on ''X'' is null-homotopic, i.e. if it is homotopic to some constant map. Intuitively, a contractible space is one that can be continuously shrunk to a point within that space. Properties A contractible space is precisely one with the homotopy type of a point. It follows that all the homotopy groups of a contractible space are trivial. Therefore any space with a nontrivial homotopy group cannot be contractible. Similarly, since singular homology is a homotopy invariant, the reduced homology groups of a contractible space are all trivial. For a topological space ''X'' the following are all equivalent: *''X'' is contractible (i.e. the identity map is null-homotopic). *''X'' is homotopy equivalent to a one-point space. *''X'' deformation retracts onto a point. (However, there exist contractible spaces which do not ''strongly'' deformation retract to a point.) *For any space ''Y'', any two maps ''f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
