Algebraic Topology · Problem 24

Cohomology — Allen Hatcher

Mathematics — Topology · homology-three-manifolds

Problem

Let MM be a closed connected 3-manifold, and write H1(M;Z)H_1(M; \mathbb{Z}) as Zr⊕F\mathbb{Z}^r \oplus F, the direct sum of a free abelian group of rank rr and a finite group FF. Show that H2(M;Z)H_2(M; \mathbb{Z}) is Zr\mathbb{Z}^r if MM is orientable and Zr−1⊕Z2\mathbb{Z}^{r-1} \oplus \mathbb{Z}_2 if MM is nonorientable. In particular, r≥1r \geq 1 when MM is nonorientable. Using Exercise 6, construct examples showing there are no other restrictions on the homology groups of closed 3-manifolds. [In the nonorientable case consider the manifold NN obtained from S2×IS^2 \times I by identifying S2×{0}S^2 \times \{0\} with S2×{1}S^2 \times \{1\} via a reflection of S2S^2.]

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