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Gysin homomorphism

Gysin homomorphism is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Gysin homomorphism rather than just read about it. In short: In the field of mathematics known as algebraic topology, the Gysin sequence is a long exact sequence which relates the cohomology classes of the base space, the fiber and the total space of a sphere bundle. The Gysin sequence is a useful tool for calculating the cohomology rings given the Euler class of the sphere bundle and vice versa.

Key takeaways

  • Gysin homomorphism belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Gysin homomorphism to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Gysin homomorphism from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In the field of mathematics known as algebraic topology, the Gysin sequence is a long exact sequence which relates the cohomology classes of the base space, the fiber and the total space of a sphere bundle. The Gysin sequence is a useful tool for calculating the cohomology rings given the Euler class of the sphere bundle and vice versa. It was introduced by Gysin (1942), and is generalized by the Serre spectral sequence.

Definition Consider a fiber-oriented sphere bundle with total space E, base space M, fiber Sk and projection map

π {\displaystyle \pi } :

S k ↪ E ⟶ π M . {\displaystyle S^{k}\hookrightarrow E{\stackrel {\pi }{\longrightarrow }}M.}

Any such bundle defines a degree k + 1 cohomology class e called the Euler class of the bundle.

De Rham cohomology Discussion of the sequence is clearest with de Rham cohomology. There cohomology classes are represented by differential forms, so that e can be represented by a (k + 1)-form. The projection map π {\displaystyle \pi } induces a map in cohomology H ∗ {\displaystyle H^{\ast }} called its pullback π ∗ {\displaystyle \pi ^{\ast }}

π ∗ : H ∗ ( M ) ⟶ H ∗ ( E ) . {\displaystyle \pi ^{*}:H^{*}(M)\longrightarrow H^{*}(E).\,}

In the case of a fiber bundle, one can also define a pushforward map π ∗ {\displaystyle \pi _{\ast }}

π ∗ : H ∗ ( E ) ⟶ H ∗ − k ( M ) {\displaystyle \pi _{*}:H^{*}(E)\longrightarrow H^{*-k}(M)}

which acts by fiberwise integration of differential forms on the oriented sphere – note that this map goes "the wrong way": it is a covariant map between objects associated with a contravariant functor. Gysin proved that the following is a long exact sequence

⋯ ⟶ H n ( E ) ⟶ π ∗ H n − k ( M ) ⟶ e ∧ H n + 1 ( M ) ⟶ π ∗ H n + 1 ( E ) ⟶ ⋯ {\displaystyle \cdots \longrightarrow H^{n}(E){\stackrel {\pi _{*}}{\longrightarrow }}H^{n-k}(M){\stackrel {e_{\wedge }}{\longrightarrow }}H^{n+1}(M){\stackrel {\pi ^{*}}{\longrightarrow }}H^{n+1}(E)\longrightarrow \cdots }

where e ∧ {\displaystyle e_{\wedge }} is the wedge product of a differential form with the Euler class e.

Integral cohomology The Gysin sequence is a long exact sequence not only for the de Rham cohomology of differential forms, but also for cohomology with integral coefficients. In the integral case one needs to replace the wedge product with the Euler class with the cup product, and the pushforward map no longer corresponds to integration.

Gysin homomorphism in algebraic geometry Let i: X → Y be a (closed) regular embedding of codimension d, Y' → Y a morphism and i': X' = X ×Y Y' → Y' the induced map. Let N be the pullback of the normal bundle of i to X'. Then the refined Gysin homomorphism i! refers to the composition

i ! : A k ( Y ′ ) ⟶ σ A k ( N ) ⟶ Gysin A k − d ( X ′ ) {\displaystyle i^{!}:A_{k}(Y'){\overset {\sigma }{\longrightarrow }}A_{k}(N){\overset {\text{Gysin}}{\longrightarrow }}A_{k-d}(X')}

where

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Gysin homomorphism

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Gysin homomorphism claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Gysin homomorphism before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Gysin homomorphism ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Gysin homomorphism

In research
Gysin homomorphism appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Gysin homomorphism in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Gysin homomorphism is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Algebraic topology, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Gysin homomorphism outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Gysin homomorphism in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Gysin homomorphism means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Gysin homomorphism out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gysin homomorphism in simple terms?

In the field of mathematics known as algebraic topology, the Gysin sequence is a long exact sequence which relates the cohomology classes of the base space, the fiber and the total space of a sphere bundle. The Gysin sequence is a useful tool for calculating the cohomology rings given the Euler cla…

Why does Gysin homomorphism matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Gysin homomorphism?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Gysin homomorphism.

Tags

  • Algebraic topology

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