Winding-number proof of the no-retraction theorem

ID: winding-number-proof-of-the-no-retraction-theorem

Winding-number proof of the no-retraction theorem by Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
If a continuous retraction from a closed disc to its boundary existed, applying it to a contraction of the boundary circle inside the disc would give a homotopy in from a loop of winding number one to a constant loop of winding number zero. Homotopy invariance of winding number rules this out.

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