Hatcher-Algebraic-Topology · Problem 2.2.14

Homology

Mathematics — Graph Theory · degree-theory

Problem

A map f:Sn→Snf: S^n \to S^n satisfying f(x)=f(−x)f(x) = f(-x) for all xx is called an even map. Show that an even map Sn→SnS^n \to S^n must have even degree, and that the degree must in fact be zero when nn is even. When nn is odd, show there exist even maps of any given even degree. [Hints: If ff is even, it factors as a composition Sn→RPn→SnS^n \to \mathbb{RP}^n \to S^n. Using the calculation of Hn(RPn)H_n(\mathbb{RP}^n) in the text, show that the induced map Hn(Sn)→Hn(RPn)H_n(S^n) \to H_n(\mathbb{RP}^n) sends a generator to twice a generator when nn is odd. It may be helpful to show that the quotient map RPn→RPn/RPn−1\mathbb{RP}^n \to \mathbb{RP}^n/\mathbb{RP}^{n-1} induces an isomorphism on HnH_n when nn is odd.]

Browse the problem library