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Hochschild homology

Hochschild homology 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 Hochschild homology rather than just read about it. In short: In mathematics, Hochschild homology (and cohomology) is a homology theory for associative algebras over rings. There is also a theory for Hochschild homology of certain functors.

Key takeaways

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

Reference excerpt

In mathematics, Hochschild homology (and cohomology) is a homology theory for associative algebras over rings. There is also a theory for Hochschild homology of certain functors. Hochschild cohomology was introduced by Gerhard Hochschild (1945) for algebras over a field, and extended to algebras over more general rings by Henri Cartan and Samuel Eilenberg (1956).

Definition of Hochschild homology of algebras Let k be a field, A an associative k-algebra, and M an A-bimodule. The enveloping algebra of A is the tensor product A e = A ⊗ A o {\displaystyle A^{e}=A\otimes A^{o}} of A with its opposite algebra. Bimodules over A are essentially the same as modules over the enveloping algebra of A, so in particular A and M can be considered as Ae-modules. Cartan & Eilenberg (1956) defined the Hochschild homology and cohomology group of A with coefficients in M in terms of the Tor functor and Ext functor by

H H n ( A , M ) = Tor n A e ⁡ ( A , M ) {\displaystyle HH_{n}(A,M)=\operatorname {Tor} _{n}^{A^{e}}(A,M)}

H H n ( A , M ) = Ext A e n ⁡ ( A , M ) {\displaystyle HH^{n}(A,M)=\operatorname {Ext} _{A^{e}}^{n}(A,M)}

Hochschild complex Let k be a ring, A an associative k-algebra that is a projective k-module, and M an A-bimodule. We will write A ⊗ n {\displaystyle A^{\otimes n}} for the n-fold tensor product of A over k. The chain complex that gives rise to Hochschild homology is given by

C n ( A , M ) := M ⊗ A ⊗ n {\displaystyle C_{n}(A,M):=M\otimes A^{\otimes n}}

with boundary operator d i {\displaystyle d_{i}} defined by

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Hochschild homology

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Hochschild homology 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 Hochschild homology 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 Hochschild homology 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 Hochschild homology

In research
Hochschild homology 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 Hochschild homology 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
Hochschild homology is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Homological algebra, Ring theory, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Hochschild homology 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 Hochschild homology in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Hochschild homology 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 Hochschild homology out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hochschild homology in simple terms?

In mathematics, Hochschild homology (and cohomology) is a homology theory for associative algebras over rings. There is also a theory for Hochschild homology of certain functors.

Why does Hochschild homology 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 Hochschild homology?

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 Hochschild homology.

Tags

  • Homological algebra
  • Ring theory

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