B2.8

Algebraic Topology
Part II, 2004

Let KK and LL be finite simplicial complexes. Define the nn-th chain group Cn(K)C_{n}(K) and the boundary homomorphism dn:Cn(K)Cn1(K)d_{n}: C_{n}(K) \rightarrow C_{n-1}(K). Prove that dn1dn=0d_{n-1} d_{n}=0 and define the homology groups of KK. Explain briefly how a simplicial map f:KLf: K \rightarrow L induces a homomorphism ff_{\star} of homology groups.

Suppose now that KK consists of the proper faces of a 3-dimensional simplex. Calculate from first principles the homology groups of KK. If a simplicial map f:KKf: K \rightarrow K gives a homeomorphism of the underlying polyhedron K|K|, is the induced homology map ff_{\star} necessarily the identity?