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 invariant (mathematics), invariants that classification theorem, classify topological spaces up t ...

, a Poincaré space is an ''n''-dimensional

topological space In mathematics, a topological space is, roughly speaking, a Geometry, geometrical space in which Closeness (mathematics), closeness is defined but cannot necessarily be measured by a numeric Distance (mathematics), distance. More specifically, a to ...

with a distinguished element ''μ'' of its ''n''th

homology group In mathematics, the term homology, originally introduced in algebraic topology, has three primary, closely-related usages. The most direct usage of the term is to take the ''homology of a chain complex'', resulting in a sequence of abelian grou ...

such that taking the

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\leq p, to form a composite chain of degree p-q. It was introduced by Eduard Čech in 1936, and independently by Hassl ...

with an element of the ''k''th

cohomology In mathematics, specifically in homology theory and algebraic topology, cohomology is a general term for a sequence of abelian groups, usually one associated with a topological space, often defined from a cochain complex. Cohomology can be viewed ...

group yields an isomorphism to the (''n'' − ''k'')th homology group. The space is essentially one for which

Poincaré duality In mathematics, the Poincaré duality theorem, named after Henri Poincaré, is a basic result on the structure of the homology (mathematics), homology and cohomology group (mathematics), groups of manifolds. It states that if ''M'' is an ''n''-dim ...

is valid; more precisely, one whose singular chain complex forms a Poincaré complex with respect to the distinguished element ''μ''. For example, any closed, orientable, connected manifold ''M'' is a Poincaré space, where the distinguished element is the

fundamental class In mathematics, the fundamental class is a homology class 'M''associated to a connected orientable compact manifold of dimension ''n'', which corresponds to the generator of the homology group H_n(M,\partial M;\mathbf)\cong\mathbf . The funda ...

Poincaré spaces are used in

surgery theory In mathematics, specifically in geometric topology, surgery theory is a collection of techniques used to produce one finite-dimensional manifold from another in a 'controlled' way, introduced by . Milnor called this technique ''surgery'', while An ...

to analyze and classify manifolds. Not every Poincaré space is a manifold, but the difference can be studied, first by having a normal map from a manifold, and then via

obstruction theory Obstruction may refer to: Places * Obstruction Island, in Washington state * Obstruction Islands, east of New Guinea Medicine * Obstructive jaundice * Obstructive sleep apnea * Airway obstruction, a respiratory problem ** Recurrent airway obstr ...

Other uses

Sometimes, ''Poincaré space'' means a

homology sphere In algebraic topology, a homology sphere is an ''n''-manifold ''X'' having the homology groups of an ''n''-sphere, for some integer n\ge 1. That is, :H_0(X,\Z) = H_n(X,\Z) = \Z and :H_i(X,\Z) = \ for all other ''i''. Therefore ''X'' is a conne ...

with non-trivial

fundamental group In the mathematics, mathematical field of algebraic topology, the fundamental group of a topological space is the group (mathematics), group of the equivalence classes under homotopy of the Loop (topology), loops contained in the space. It record ...

—for instance, the Poincaré dodecahedral space in 3 dimensions.

References

Algebraic topology Abstract algebra {{Topology-stub

Other uses

See also

References