4.II.21F

Algebraic Topology
Part II, 2008

Let XX and YY be topological spaces.

(i) Show that a map f:XYf: X \rightarrow Y is a homotopy equivalence if there exist maps g,h:YXg, h: Y \rightarrow X such that fg1Yf g \simeq 1_{Y} and hf1Xh f \simeq 1_{X}. More generally, show that a map f:XYf: X \rightarrow Y is a homotopy equivalence if there exist maps g,h:YXg, h: Y \rightarrow X such that fgf g and hfh f are homotopy equivalences.

(ii) Suppose that X~\tilde{X} and Y~\tilde{Y} are universal covering spaces of the path-connected, locally path-connected spaces XX and YY. Using path-lifting properties, show that if XYX \simeq Y then X~Y~\tilde{X} \simeq \tilde{Y}.