Fundamental groupoid
Definition
The fundamental groupoid of a topological space is defined as follows:
- As a set, it is the set of all homotopy classes of paths between points in (i.e., functions from the closed unit interval to ), where two paths are homotopic if there is a homotopy between them that preserves endpoints at every stage of the homotopy.
- The partial multiplication is defined by concatenation of paths where the right endpoint of the left path coincides with the left endpoint of the right path. Specifically, if are paths, such that , then is defined as (up to homotopy):
Why it is a groupoid
| Condition | How it is shown | Page detailing relevant homotopy |
|---|---|---|
| well defined | if and are homotopic, and and are homotopic, then the existence of implies the existence of , and they are homotopic | homotopy between composites of homotopic paths |
| existence of identity element | for a path , the left identity element is a constant loop that stays fixed at , the right identity is a constant loop that stays fixed at | |
| existence of inverses | for a path , the inverse path is the path , that traverses backward. | similar to the loops case: homotopy between constant loop and composite of loop with inverse |
| associativity | consider the products and . If either of these products is defined, so is the other, and they are homotopic as paths | similar to the loops case: homotopy between composites associated differently |