A User's Guide to Algebraic Topology

A User's Guide to Algebraic Topology
Author: C. T. J. Dodson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 428
Release: 1997-01-31
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9780792342939

This book arose from courses taught by the authors, and is designed for both instructional and reference use during and after a first course in algebraic topology. It is a handbook for users who want to calculate, but whose main interests are in applications using the current literature, rather than in developing the theory. Typical areas of applications are differential geometry and theoretical physics. We start gently, with numerous pictures to illustrate the fundamental ideas and constructions in homotopy theory that are needed in later chapters. We show how to calculate homotopy groups, homology groups and cohomology rings of most of the major theories, exact homotopy sequences of fibrations, some important spectral sequences, and all the obstructions that we can compute from these. Our approach is to mix illustrative examples with those proofs that actually develop transferable calculational aids. We give extensive appendices with notes on background material, extensive tables of data, and a thorough index. Audience: Graduate students and professionals in mathematics and physics.

A User’s Guide to Algebraic Topology

A User’s Guide to Algebraic Topology
Author: C.T. Dodson
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1997-02-14
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9781461563099

We have tried to design this book for both instructional and reference use, during and after a first course in algebraic topology aimed at users rather than developers; indeed, the book arose from such courses taught by the authors. We start gently, with numerous pictures to illustrate the fundamental ideas and constructions in homotopy theory that are needed in later chapters. A certain amount of redundancy is built in for the reader's convenience: we hope to minimize :fiipping back and forth, and we have provided some appendices for reference. The first three are concerned with background material in algebra, general topology, manifolds, geometry and bundles. Another gives tables of homo topy groups that should prove useful in computations, and the last outlines the use of a computer algebra package for exterior calculus. Our approach has been that whenever a construction from a proof is needed, we have explicitly noted and referenced this. In general, wehavenot given a proof unless it yields something useful for computations. As always, the only way to un derstand mathematics is to do it and use it. To encourage this, Ex denotes either an example or an exercise. The choice is usually up to you the reader, depending on the amount of work you wish to do; however, some are explicitly stated as ( unanswered) questions. In such cases, our implicit claim is that you will greatly benefit from at least thinking about how to answer them.

A User's Guide to Spectral Sequences

A User's Guide to Spectral Sequences
Author: John McCleary
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 579
Release: 2001
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0521567599

Spectral sequences are among the most elegant and powerful methods of computation in mathematics. This book describes some of the most important examples of spectral sequences and some of their most spectacular applications. The first part treats the algebraic foundations for this sort of homological algebra, starting from informal calculations. The heart of the text is an exposition of the classical examples from homotopy theory, with chapters on the Leray-Serre spectral sequence, the Eilenberg-Moore spectral sequence, the Adams spectral sequence, and, in this new edition, the Bockstein spectral sequence. The last part of the book treats applications throughout mathematics, including the theory of knots and links, algebraic geometry, differential geometry and algebra. This is an excellent reference for students and researchers in geometry, topology, and algebra.

A Concise Course in Algebraic Topology

A Concise Course in Algebraic Topology
Author: J. P. May
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 262
Release: 1999-09
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9780226511832

Algebraic topology is a basic part of modern mathematics, and some knowledge of this area is indispensable for any advanced work relating to geometry, including topology itself, differential geometry, algebraic geometry, and Lie groups. This book provides a detailed treatment of algebraic topology both for teachers of the subject and for advanced graduate students in mathematics either specializing in this area or continuing on to other fields. J. Peter May's approach reflects the enormous internal developments within algebraic topology over the past several decades, most of which are largely unknown to mathematicians in other fields. But he also retains the classical presentations of various topics where appropriate. Most chapters end with problems that further explore and refine the concepts presented. The final four chapters provide sketches of substantial areas of algebraic topology that are normally omitted from introductory texts, and the book concludes with a list of suggested readings for those interested in delving further into the field.

Algebraic Topology Via Differential Geometry

Algebraic Topology Via Differential Geometry
Author: M. Karoubi
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 380
Release: 1987
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9780521317146

In this volume the authors seek to illustrate how methods of differential geometry find application in the study of the topology of differential manifolds. Prerequisites are few since the authors take pains to set out the theory of differential forms and the algebra required. The reader is introduced to De Rham cohomology, and explicit and detailed calculations are present as examples. Topics covered include Mayer-Vietoris exact sequences, relative cohomology, Pioncare duality and Lefschetz's theorem. This book will be suitable for graduate students taking courses in algebraic topology and in differential topology. Mathematicians studying relativity and mathematical physics will find this an invaluable introduction to the techniques of differential geometry.

Algebraic Topology - Homotopy and Homology

Algebraic Topology - Homotopy and Homology
Author: Robert M. Switzer
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 541
Release: 2017-12-01
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 3642619231

From the reviews: "The author has attempted an ambitious and most commendable project. [...] The book contains much material that has not previously appeared in this format. The writing is clean and clear and the exposition is well motivated. [...] This book is, all in all, a very admirable work and a valuable addition to the literature." Mathematical Reviews

Algebraic Topology: An Intuitive Approach

Algebraic Topology: An Intuitive Approach
Author: Hajime Satō
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
Total Pages: 144
Release: 1999
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9780821810460

The single most difficult thing one faces when one begins to learn a new branch of mathematics is to get a feel for the mathematical sense of the subject. The purpose of this book is to help the aspiring reader acquire this essential common sense about algebraic topology in a short period of time. To this end, Sato leads the reader through simple but meaningful examples in concrete terms. Moreover, results are not discussed in their greatest possible generality, but in terms of the simplest and most essential cases. In response to suggestions from readers of the original edition of this book, Sato has added an appendix of useful definitions and results on sets, general topology, groups and such. He has also provided references. Topics covered include fundamental notions such as homeomorphisms, homotopy equivalence, fundamental groups and higher homotopy groups, homology and cohomology, fiber bundles, spectral sequences and characteristic classes. Objects and examples considered in the text include the torus, the Möbius strip, the Klein bottle, closed surfaces, cell complexes and vector bundles.

More Concise Algebraic Topology

More Concise Algebraic Topology
Author: J. P. May
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 544
Release: 2012-02
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0226511782

With firm foundations dating only from the 1950s, algebraic topology is a relatively young area of mathematics. There are very few textbooks that treat fundamental topics beyond a first course, and many topics now essential to the field are not treated in any textbook. J. Peter May’s A Concise Course in Algebraic Topology addresses the standard first course material, such as fundamental groups, covering spaces, the basics of homotopy theory, and homology and cohomology. In this sequel, May and his coauthor, Kathleen Ponto, cover topics that are essential for algebraic topologists and others interested in algebraic topology, but that are not treated in standard texts. They focus on the localization and completion of topological spaces, model categories, and Hopf algebras. The first half of the book sets out the basic theory of localization and completion of nilpotent spaces, using the most elementary treatment the authors know of. It makes no use of simplicial techniques or model categories, and it provides full details of other necessary preliminaries. With these topics as motivation, most of the second half of the book sets out the theory of model categories, which is the central organizing framework for homotopical algebra in general. Examples from topology and homological algebra are treated in parallel. A short last part develops the basic theory of bialgebras and Hopf algebras.

Introduction to Topological Manifolds

Introduction to Topological Manifolds
Author: John M. Lee
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 395
Release: 2006-04-06
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 038722727X

Manifolds play an important role in topology, geometry, complex analysis, algebra, and classical mechanics. Learning manifolds differs from most other introductory mathematics in that the subject matter is often completely unfamiliar. This introduction guides readers by explaining the roles manifolds play in diverse branches of mathematics and physics. The book begins with the basics of general topology and gently moves to manifolds, the fundamental group, and covering spaces.

Basic Concepts of Algebraic Topology

Basic Concepts of Algebraic Topology
Author: F.H. Croom
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 187
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 1468494759

This text is intended as a one semester introduction to algebraic topology at the undergraduate and beginning graduate levels. Basically, it covers simplicial homology theory, the fundamental group, covering spaces, the higher homotopy groups and introductory singular homology theory. The text follows a broad historical outline and uses the proofs of the discoverers of the important theorems when this is consistent with the elementary level of the course. This method of presentation is intended to reduce the abstract nature of algebraic topology to a level that is palatable for the beginning student and to provide motivation and cohesion that are often lacking in abstact treatments. The text emphasizes the geometric approach to algebraic topology and attempts to show the importance of topological concepts by applying them to problems of geometry and analysis. The prerequisites for this course are calculus at the sophomore level, a one semester introduction to the theory of groups, a one semester introduc tion to point-set topology and some familiarity with vector spaces. Outlines of the prerequisite material can be found in the appendices at the end of the text. It is suggested that the reader not spend time initially working on the appendices, but rather that he read from the beginning of the text, referring to the appendices as his memory needs refreshing. The text is designed for use by college juniors of normal intelligence and does not require "mathematical maturity" beyond the junior level.