§ Cup product [TODO ]
- We need an ordered simplex, so there is a total ordering on the vertices. This is to split a chain apart at number k.
- Can always multiply functions together. This takes a k chain ξ and an l chain η and produces ξ∪η which is a k+lcochain. The action on a (k+l) chain γ acts by (ξ∪η)(γ)≡ξ(γ≤k)⋅η(γ>k).
- No way this can work for chains, can only ever work for cochains.
- This cup product "works well" with coboundary. We have ∂(ξ∪η)≡(∂ξ∪η)+(−1)k(ξ∪∂η).
- We get cocycle cup cocyle is cocycle.
- Similarly, coboundary cup cocycle is coboundary.
- Simiarly, cocycle cup coboundary is coboundary.
- The three above propositions imply that the cup product descends to cohomology groups.
- The algebra of cohomology (cohomology plus the cup product) sees the difference between spaces of identical homology!
- The space S1×S1 have the same homology as S2∩S1∩S1. Both have equal homology/cohomology.
- However, we will find that it will be zero on the torus and non-zero on other side.
- The cup product measures how the two generators are locally product like. So if we pick two generators on the torus, we can find a triangle which gives non-zero