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Why does the Betti number give the measure of k-dimensional holes?


Euler number in terms of Betti numbersHow does one show that definition of Betti number and its “informal definition” are equal?What is the Betti number of a group?Question about the Betti numbersHomology class and Betti number for a compact manifold with boundariesTwo ways to split the second Betti numberAn example of infinite Betti number refers to G-covering, and the motivation of G-coveringThe Betti number of complex projective spacesWhat are the Betti numbers of a double pinched torus?The second Betti number of a group













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I was reading Paul Renteln "MANIFOLDS, TENSORS, AND FORMS An Introduction for Mathematicians and Physicists" p.145, where he defined the Betti number as $dim H_m(K)$, where $H_m(K)$ is the quotient space of cycles modulo boundary $Z_m(K)/B_m(K)$. He said it is true that the Betti number counts the number of m-dimensional holes on K, but I don't see why.



This is similar to what Wikipedia said at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplicial_homology, the last sentence of the definition section. Can anyone provide me with an intuitive explanation of what is going on?










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    5












    $begingroup$


    I was reading Paul Renteln "MANIFOLDS, TENSORS, AND FORMS An Introduction for Mathematicians and Physicists" p.145, where he defined the Betti number as $dim H_m(K)$, where $H_m(K)$ is the quotient space of cycles modulo boundary $Z_m(K)/B_m(K)$. He said it is true that the Betti number counts the number of m-dimensional holes on K, but I don't see why.



    This is similar to what Wikipedia said at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplicial_homology, the last sentence of the definition section. Can anyone provide me with an intuitive explanation of what is going on?










    share|cite|improve this question







    New contributor




    Joe Martin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.







    $endgroup$















      5












      5








      5


      2



      $begingroup$


      I was reading Paul Renteln "MANIFOLDS, TENSORS, AND FORMS An Introduction for Mathematicians and Physicists" p.145, where he defined the Betti number as $dim H_m(K)$, where $H_m(K)$ is the quotient space of cycles modulo boundary $Z_m(K)/B_m(K)$. He said it is true that the Betti number counts the number of m-dimensional holes on K, but I don't see why.



      This is similar to what Wikipedia said at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplicial_homology, the last sentence of the definition section. Can anyone provide me with an intuitive explanation of what is going on?










      share|cite|improve this question







      New contributor




      Joe Martin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.







      $endgroup$




      I was reading Paul Renteln "MANIFOLDS, TENSORS, AND FORMS An Introduction for Mathematicians and Physicists" p.145, where he defined the Betti number as $dim H_m(K)$, where $H_m(K)$ is the quotient space of cycles modulo boundary $Z_m(K)/B_m(K)$. He said it is true that the Betti number counts the number of m-dimensional holes on K, but I don't see why.



      This is similar to what Wikipedia said at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplicial_homology, the last sentence of the definition section. Can anyone provide me with an intuitive explanation of what is going on?







      algebraic-topology simplicial-complex betti-numbers






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      Joe Martin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      asked 4 hours ago









      Joe MartinJoe Martin

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          $begingroup$

          This sentence in the paragraph just before the line from wikipedia you quote




          It follows that the homology group Hk(S) is nonzero exactly when there
          are k-cycles on S which are not boundaries. In a sense, this means
          that there are k-dimensional holes in the complex.




          provides an answer to your question. A $k$-cycle is (intuitively speaking) a geometric structure which potentially surrounds a $k+1$-dimensional region. $1$-cycles are easiest to visualize - think loops. On the surface of a sphere every loop can be thought of as having an inside (two, in fact, since there's no topological distinction between inside and outside). Every $1$-cycle is the boundary of a part of the surface and the first Betti number is $0$. There are no holes. On the surface of a torus there are two kinds of loops that don't have interiors - those are $1$-cycles that aren't boundaries, so a torus has $2$ "holes" where there might be disks but aren't. Those are conceptual holes - there is no hole that looks as if was cut out by a cookie cutter.



          In higher dimensions you can ask whether something that looks like the surface of an ordinary sphere - a $2$-cycle - actually surrounds something like the interior of a sphere. If not, that $2$-cycle contributes to the second Betti number.



          I hope this serves as the intuition you need. The technical details are, of course, technical.






          share|cite|improve this answer











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            1 Answer
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            $begingroup$

            This sentence in the paragraph just before the line from wikipedia you quote




            It follows that the homology group Hk(S) is nonzero exactly when there
            are k-cycles on S which are not boundaries. In a sense, this means
            that there are k-dimensional holes in the complex.




            provides an answer to your question. A $k$-cycle is (intuitively speaking) a geometric structure which potentially surrounds a $k+1$-dimensional region. $1$-cycles are easiest to visualize - think loops. On the surface of a sphere every loop can be thought of as having an inside (two, in fact, since there's no topological distinction between inside and outside). Every $1$-cycle is the boundary of a part of the surface and the first Betti number is $0$. There are no holes. On the surface of a torus there are two kinds of loops that don't have interiors - those are $1$-cycles that aren't boundaries, so a torus has $2$ "holes" where there might be disks but aren't. Those are conceptual holes - there is no hole that looks as if was cut out by a cookie cutter.



            In higher dimensions you can ask whether something that looks like the surface of an ordinary sphere - a $2$-cycle - actually surrounds something like the interior of a sphere. If not, that $2$-cycle contributes to the second Betti number.



            I hope this serves as the intuition you need. The technical details are, of course, technical.






            share|cite|improve this answer











            $endgroup$


















              4












              $begingroup$

              This sentence in the paragraph just before the line from wikipedia you quote




              It follows that the homology group Hk(S) is nonzero exactly when there
              are k-cycles on S which are not boundaries. In a sense, this means
              that there are k-dimensional holes in the complex.




              provides an answer to your question. A $k$-cycle is (intuitively speaking) a geometric structure which potentially surrounds a $k+1$-dimensional region. $1$-cycles are easiest to visualize - think loops. On the surface of a sphere every loop can be thought of as having an inside (two, in fact, since there's no topological distinction between inside and outside). Every $1$-cycle is the boundary of a part of the surface and the first Betti number is $0$. There are no holes. On the surface of a torus there are two kinds of loops that don't have interiors - those are $1$-cycles that aren't boundaries, so a torus has $2$ "holes" where there might be disks but aren't. Those are conceptual holes - there is no hole that looks as if was cut out by a cookie cutter.



              In higher dimensions you can ask whether something that looks like the surface of an ordinary sphere - a $2$-cycle - actually surrounds something like the interior of a sphere. If not, that $2$-cycle contributes to the second Betti number.



              I hope this serves as the intuition you need. The technical details are, of course, technical.






              share|cite|improve this answer











              $endgroup$
















                4












                4








                4





                $begingroup$

                This sentence in the paragraph just before the line from wikipedia you quote




                It follows that the homology group Hk(S) is nonzero exactly when there
                are k-cycles on S which are not boundaries. In a sense, this means
                that there are k-dimensional holes in the complex.




                provides an answer to your question. A $k$-cycle is (intuitively speaking) a geometric structure which potentially surrounds a $k+1$-dimensional region. $1$-cycles are easiest to visualize - think loops. On the surface of a sphere every loop can be thought of as having an inside (two, in fact, since there's no topological distinction between inside and outside). Every $1$-cycle is the boundary of a part of the surface and the first Betti number is $0$. There are no holes. On the surface of a torus there are two kinds of loops that don't have interiors - those are $1$-cycles that aren't boundaries, so a torus has $2$ "holes" where there might be disks but aren't. Those are conceptual holes - there is no hole that looks as if was cut out by a cookie cutter.



                In higher dimensions you can ask whether something that looks like the surface of an ordinary sphere - a $2$-cycle - actually surrounds something like the interior of a sphere. If not, that $2$-cycle contributes to the second Betti number.



                I hope this serves as the intuition you need. The technical details are, of course, technical.






                share|cite|improve this answer











                $endgroup$



                This sentence in the paragraph just before the line from wikipedia you quote




                It follows that the homology group Hk(S) is nonzero exactly when there
                are k-cycles on S which are not boundaries. In a sense, this means
                that there are k-dimensional holes in the complex.




                provides an answer to your question. A $k$-cycle is (intuitively speaking) a geometric structure which potentially surrounds a $k+1$-dimensional region. $1$-cycles are easiest to visualize - think loops. On the surface of a sphere every loop can be thought of as having an inside (two, in fact, since there's no topological distinction between inside and outside). Every $1$-cycle is the boundary of a part of the surface and the first Betti number is $0$. There are no holes. On the surface of a torus there are two kinds of loops that don't have interiors - those are $1$-cycles that aren't boundaries, so a torus has $2$ "holes" where there might be disks but aren't. Those are conceptual holes - there is no hole that looks as if was cut out by a cookie cutter.



                In higher dimensions you can ask whether something that looks like the surface of an ordinary sphere - a $2$-cycle - actually surrounds something like the interior of a sphere. If not, that $2$-cycle contributes to the second Betti number.



                I hope this serves as the intuition you need. The technical details are, of course, technical.







                share|cite|improve this answer














                share|cite|improve this answer



                share|cite|improve this answer








                edited 3 hours ago

























                answered 3 hours ago









                Ethan BolkerEthan Bolker

                47.1k555123




                47.1k555123






















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