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Seifert–van Kampen identifies the fundamental group with a group pushout

Statement

Let X=UV, where U and V are open path-connected subsets of X, let UV be path-connected, and fix x0UV. For the inclusion-induced maps in the diagram

π1(U,x0)π1(UV,x0)π1(V,x0),

the group π1(X,x0), together with the two inclusion-induced homomorphisms, is a pushout (Pushouts of group homomorphisms). Equivalently, the canonical homomorphism from any pushout P of the displayed diagram to π1(X,x0) is an isomorphism. No injectivity of either map from the overlap group is assumed.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The cover and basepoint in the Statement, a pushout P with factor maps iU,iV, and the inclusion-induced maps to π1(X,x0).

[L1]

Every loop class in π1(X,x0) has a finite factorization by inclusion-images of loop classes from U and V (Loops over a two-set path-connected open cover factor through the covering sets).

[L2]

All subordinate factorizations of homotopic based loops have one common value in P (Homotopic-loop factorizations have the same value in the group pushout).

[L3]

For arbitrary group homomorphisms KG and KH, the quotient of GH by the normal closure of the amalgamating relations is a pushout, so a pushout of the displayed diagram exists (A group pushout is the quotient of a free product by the amalgamating relations).

[F1]

Every compatible pair of homomorphisms out of the two factors of a group pushout factors through a unique homomorphism from the pushout (Pushouts of group homomorphisms).

[F2]

Pointed inclusions induce group homomorphisms on fundamental groups (The homomorphism on fundamental groups induced by a pointed continuous map).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1

Choose the pushout P supplied by [L3]. The two inclusion-induced homomorphisms from π1(U,x0) and π1(V,x0) to π1(X,x0) agree on π1(UV,x0), since both composites are induced by the same inclusion. By [F1], they therefore define a unique homomorphism Φ:Pπ1(X,x0) satisfying ΦiU=(jU) and ΦiV=(jV).

L3F1F2choose
1.2

For cπ1(X,x0), let Ψ(c) be the element of P that is the value of some subordinate factorization of some loop representing c. Such a factorization exists by [L1], and [L2] says that all representatives and all their factorizations give the same value. Thus exactly one such element exists for each c, so this rule defines a function without selecting factorizations globally. Concatenating two factorizations concatenates their words, hence Ψ is a homomorphism.

L1L2construct
2.1

If c is represented by a factorized loop, applying Φ to its pushout word restores the same product of inclusion-images, which is c by [L1]. Hence ΦΨ=idπ1(X,x0).

step 1.1step 1.2L1
2.2

For aπ1(U,x0), the one-factor factorization of its image gives Ψ((jU)a)=iU(a), and similarly on the V factor. Thus ΨΦ:PP agrees with the identity after composition with both factor maps. Uniqueness in [F1] makes ΨΦ=idP.

step 1.1step 1.2F1
3.1

The homomorphisms Φ and Ψ are inverse, so Φ is an isomorphism and π1(X,x0) has the asserted pushout property.

step 2.1step 2.2

Depends on

Used by

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