Vietoris–Begle mapping theorem

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The Vietoris–Begle mapping theorem is a result in the mathematical field of algebraic topology. It is named for Leopold Vietoris and Edward G. Begle. The statement of the theorem, below, is as formulated by Stephen Smale.

[edit] Theorem

Let X and Y be compact metric spaces, and let f:X\to Y be surjective and continuous. Suppose that the fibers of f are acyclic, so that

\tilde H_r(f^{-1}(y)) = 0, for all 0\leq r\leq n-1 and all y\in Y,

with \tilde H_r denoting the rth reduced homology group. Then, the induced homomorphism

f_*:\tilde H_r(X)\to\tilde H_r(Y)

is an isomorphism for r\leq n-1 and a surjection for r = n.

[edit] References