Paper 2, Section II, H

Algebraic Topology
Part II, 2018

(a) Define the first barycentric subdivision KK^{\prime} of a simplicial complex KK. Hence define the rthr^{t h} barycentric subdivision K(r)K^{(r)}. [You do not need to prove that KK^{\prime} is a simplicial complex.]

(b) Define the mesh μ(K)\mu(K) of a simplicial complex KK. State a result that describes the behaviour of μ(K(r))\mu\left(K^{(r)}\right) as rr \rightarrow \infty.

(c) Define a simplicial approximation to a continuous map of polyhedra

f:KLf:|K| \rightarrow|L|

Prove that, if gg is a simplicial approximation to ff, then the realisation g:KL|g|:|K| \rightarrow|L| is homotopic to ff.

(d) State and prove the simplicial approximation theorem. [You may use the Lebesgue number lemma without proof, as long as you state it clearly.]

(e) Prove that every continuous map of spheres SnSmS^{n} \rightarrow S^{m} is homotopic to a constant map when n<mn<m.