BITS Pilani

Pilani Campus

MATH F311
(Introduction to Topology)
 Lecture 1
Introduction to the subject

Dr Trilok Mathur,
BITS Pilani Assistant Professor,
Pilani Campus Department of Mathematics
• The study of properties of a shape that do not change
under deformation
• Rules of deformation
– Onto (all of A  all of B)
– 1-1 correspondence (no overlap)
– Bi-continuous, (continuous both ways)
– Can’t tear, join, poke/seal holes
• A is homeomorphic to B

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• Topology is the study of the intrinsic properties of surfaces that
are independent of distance.
• Intuitively, topological transformations are “rubber sheet”
transformations
Topological A point is at an end-point of an arc
A point is on the boundary of an area
A point is in the interior/exterior of an area
An arc is simple
An area is open/closed/simple
An area is connected
Non-topological Distance between two points
Bearing of one point from another point
Length of an arc
Perimeter of an area 4
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• What is the boundary of an object?

• Are there holes in the object?

• Is the object hollow?

• If the object is transformed in some way, are the

changes continuous or abrupt?

• Is the object bounded, or does it extend infinitely far?

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As a student of Mathematics:

 Idea of evolution to biology is same as the ideas of topology to

mathematics.

 To understand the qualitative (topological) aspects of

geometrical objects such as deformation.

 To understand the methods of identifying the spaces i.e. how

the hollow torus is a different space then hollow sphere?

 Topological spaces show up naturally in almost every branch of

mathematics. This has made topology one of the great unifying
ideas of mathematics. 6
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As an Engineering student:

 Topology is necessary for certain spatial functions such as

network routing through linear networks.

 Topology can be used to create datasets with better quality

control and greater data integrity.

 Topological data analysis uses techniques from algebraic

topology to determine the large scale structure of a set (for
instance, determining if a cloud of points is spherical or
toroidal).

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As an Engineering student:

 Knot theory, a branch of topology, is used in biology to study

the effects of certain enzymes on DNA.

 The topological dependence of mechanical properties in solids

is of interest in disciplines of Mechanical/Metallurgy Engg.

 In cosmology, topology can be used to describe the overall

shape of the universe.

 In robotics topology can be used for motion planning in

configuration space.
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A bijective (one-to-one and onto)
continuous function with a
continuous inverse is called a
homeomorphism

Homeomorphisms copy topology Torus and cup are

homeomorphic
– homeomorphic spaces are
topologically equivalent
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 f h
c sklm
abde n r t uz
opq vwx y
homeomorphic to homeomorphic to

i j
homeomorphic to
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• Leonard Euler (1707-1783)
– Königsberg Bridge Problem

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 In 1736 Euler published a paper on the solution of the Königsberg
bridge problem entitled Solutio problematis ad geometriam situs
pertinentis (Solution to the geometry of position).

 The title itself indicates that Euler was aware that he was dealing
with a different type of geometry where distance was not relevant.

 The next step in freeing mathematics from being a subject about

measurement was also due to Euler. In 1750 he gives his famous
formula for a polyhedron:
v–e+f=2

 Before Euler, it had been impossible to think of geometrical

properties without measurement being involved.
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J. J. O’Connor, A history of Topology
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Vertex Degree
A 3
B 5 C

C 3
D 3
B
D

A graph has a path traversing each edge exactly

once if exactly two vertices have odd degree.
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Vertex Degree
A 3
B 4 C

C 3
D 2
B
D

A graph has a path traversing each edge exactly

once if exactly two vertices have odd degree.
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• Leonard Euler (1707-1783)
– Königsberg Bridge Problem
• August Möbius (1790-1868)
– Möbius Strip

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• A sheet of paper has two sides, a front and
a back, and one edge
• A möbius strip has one side and one edge

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Plus Magazine ~ Imaging Maths – Inside the Klein Bottle

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• Leonard Euler (1707-1783)
– Königsberg Bridge Problem
• August Möbius (1790-1868)
– Möbius Strip
• Felix Klein (1849-1925)
– Klein Bottle

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• A sphere has an inside and an outside and
no edges
• A klein bottle has only an outside and no
edges

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Plus Magazine ~ Imaging Maths – Inside the Klein Bottle

BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus