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The Bockstein homomorphism for $0\to \mathbb{Z}/n\to \mathbb{Z}/n^2\to \mathbb{Z}/n\to 0$, with injection $[a]\mapsto [na]$, is coefficient reduction $\rho$ after the integral Bockstein homomorphism. The commuting maps of coefficient sequences prove this by naturality of the connecting homomorphism.

For an effective divisor on an algebraic curve $D$ on a smooth projective curve, the Zariski tangent space to its symmetric product of a curve is $H^0({\mathcal{O}}_D(D))$. The derivative of the Abelian sum map is the connecting homomorphism of $0\to {\mathcal{O}}_X\to {\mathcal{O}}_X(D)\to {\mathcal{O}}_D(D)\to 0$. Its dual under Serre duality is restriction of holomorphic differential forms to $D$, including all jets at repeated points. Hence its rank is $\mathrm{deg}D+1-h^0({\mathcal{O}}_X(D))$, and its image annihilates $H^0(K_X(-D))$.

The connecting homomorphism ofsends a divisor on a complex manifold $D$ to its holomorphic line bundle associated to a divisor $\mathcal{O}(D)$ in the Picard group. Its kernel consists exactly of the principal divisors of global nonzero meromorphic functions.

The integral Bockstein is the connecting homomorphism of $0\to \mathbb{Z}\stackrel{n}{\to }\mathbb{Z}\to \mathbb{Z}/n\to 0$. Lift a modulo-$n$ cocycle to an integral cochain $a$; write its coboundary as $\delta a=nb$. Then $\hat{\beta }[a]=[b]$. Its image is the subgroup of integral cohomology killed by $n$.

A long exact sequence is a sequence of abelian groups or modules with arbitrarily many consecutive maps, for which the image of every map equals the kernel of the next. A short exact sequence of cochain complexes yields a long exact sequence of their cohomology, with connecting homomorphisms increasing degree by one. The exact sequences of relative cohomology and the Bockstein homomorphism are examples.

For a chain map $f:C\to D$, use $M_i=C_{i-1}\oplus D_i$ and $d(x,y)=(d_{C}x,(-1{)}^{i}f(x)+d_{D}y)$. The chain map identity makes $d^2=0$. The short exact sequence of chain complexes $0\to D\to M\to C_{\ast -1}\to 0$ has connecting homomorphism $(-1{)}^i{f}_{\ast }$ in degree $i$. Its long exact sequence in homology shows that the homology of $M$ vanishes precisely when every $f_{\ast }$ is an isomorphism.

Let $D={\sum }_p{r}_{p}p\in X^{(d)}$. The derivative of the Abelian sum map is most naturally stated using principal parts. The tangent space of the symmetric product of a curve at $D$ is $H^0({\mathcal{O}}_D(D))$, and the tangent space of the Jacobian variety is $H^0(K_X{)}^{\ast }$. With these identifications,Its dual is restriction of holomorphic one-forms to the length-$d$ divisor scheme. In particular,The last equality is the Riemann-Roch theorem. These formulas apply to repeated points as well as distinct ones.

Here is a direct proof of the repeated-point Abel differential formula. At a multiplicity-$r$ point, choose a local coordinate $t$ with $t(p)=0$. A nearby local divisor is described by the roots $t_1,\dots ,t_r$, or, without making an ordering choice, by their elementary symmetric functions $e_1,\dots ,e_r$:These $e_k$ are smooth local coordinates on the symmetric product of a curve, including at the repeated divisor. Under a first-order deformation, minus the logarithmic variation of this defining polynomial is the principal partThe sign can be checked at $r=1$: moving the point from $0$ to $ϵa$ gives $v=a/t$, and the Abel integral changes by $a\omega (p)$.

Write $\omega =({\sum }_{j\ge 0}{c}_j{t}^j)dt$ and its local primitive as $F(t)={\sum }_{j\ge 0}{c}_j{t}^{j+1}/(j+1)$. The local contribution to the Abelian sum map is ${\sum }_{i}F(t_i)$. Newton's identities, linearized at $e_1=\cdots =e_r=0$, giveSubstituting in the primitive therefore givesSumming over the support proves the theorem. In particular, a multiplicity-$r$ point tests the first $r$ coefficients of a holomorphic one-form, not just its value. The residue pairing between principal parts of order at most $r$ and differential jets through order $r-1$ is perfect. Thus the annihilator of the derivative is precisely the holomorphic one-forms vanishing to order at least $r_p$ at every $p$, namely $H^0(K_X(-D))$.

There is also a sheaf cohomology description that explains its kernel geometrically. The sequencegives a connecting homomorphism $\delta :H^0({\mathcal{O}}_D(D))\to H^1({\mathcal{O}}_X)$. Represent a principal part by meromorphic lifts on coordinate disks; their differences on overlaps give its Čech cohomology class. Under Serre duality, pairing this class with $\omega$ is the sum of the residues of $v_p\omega$, so $\delta$ is the displayed derivative. Exactness shows that its kernel is $H^0({\mathcal{O}}_X(D))/\mathbb{C}$, of dimension $h^0({\mathcal{O}}_X(D))-1$, in agreement with the tangent directions to the complete linear system of a divisor in Solution 2.

Two consequences will be useful below. If $d\ge 2g-1$, then $K_X(-D)$ has negative degree and no nonzero sections, so $u_d$ is a submersion everywhere. Its image is open, and it is also closed because $X^{(d)}$ is compact. Since the Jacobian variety is connected, $u_d$ is surjective. Thus the points $u(p)$ generate the Jacobian variety as a group. Together with Abel's theorem, this identifies the degree-zero Picard group with the Jacobian variety: every line bundle has a meromorphic section and thus a divisor representation, injectivity is Abel's theorem, and surjectivity follows from $u_d(D)-du(p_0)$.

For $g\ge 1$, one can choose $g-1$ distinct points imposing independent conditions on $H^0(K_X)$: at each step a surviving nonzero holomorphic one-form has only finitely many zeros, so choose a point where it does not vanish. Their sum $D$ has $h^0(K_X(-D))=1$ and hence $h^0({\mathcal{O}}_X(D))=1$. The derivative has rank $g-1$ there. Consequently $W_{g-1}=u_{g-1}(X^{(g-1)})$ is an irreducible subvariety of dimension $g-1$. This also covers $g=1$, when $X^{(0)}$ and $W_0$ are points.

Identify ${\mathrm{Pic}}^{g-1}(X)$ with the Jacobian variety using the base point and the translation of Solution 4. A line bundle $L$ of degree $g-1$ corresponds to the point $z=u(D)-\kappa$ for any divisor representation $L\simeq {\mathcal{O}}_X(D)$. The Riemann singularity theorem isIn particular, the theta divisor is singular exactly at the degree-$g-1$ line bundles with at least two independent sections. We prove the equality, including the upper bound on multiplicity.

Choose a fixed effective divisor $A$ of degree $N\ge g$, and a local holomorphic family $L_{\eta }$ representing nearby points of ${\mathrm{Pic}}^{g-1}(X)$. Such a family can be constructed locally from the holomorphic exponential sequence, by varying line-bundle transition functions through exponentials of Čech cohomology representatives. By Serre duality, $H^1(L_{\eta }(A))$ is dual to $H^0(K_X\otimes L_{\eta }^{-1}(-A))$, whose degree is $g-1-N<0$, so it vanishes. The Riemann-Roch theorem gives $h^0(L_{\eta }(A))=N$. By cohomology and base change for line bundles on a curve, these spaces form a holomorphic vector bundle $E$ of rank $N$. The spaces $H^0(L_{\eta }(A){|}_A)$ form another holomorphic vector bundle $F$ of rank $N$. Evaluation gives a holomorphic square matrix $T(\eta )$ locally, with exact sequenceConsequently $\det T(\eta )=0$ exactly when $L_{\eta }$ has a nonzero section, namely on the support of the theta divisor.

At the point $L$, put $r=h^0(L)=h^1(L)$, the equality being Riemann-Roch theorem. An invertible minor of size $N-r$ persists near this point. Holomorphic row and column operations, or the Schur complement, givewhere $M$ is an $r\times r$ holomorphic matrix. This is the Schur complement presentation of a theta singularity. Its linear term in a tangent direction $\xi \in H^1({\mathcal{O}}_X)$ is the cup product mapTo see this concretely, vary transition functions $g_{ij}$ of $L$ to $g_{ij}(1+ϵ{\xi }_{ij})$. A section $s_i$ lifts to $s_i+ϵs_i^{\prime }$ precisely when its first-order compatibility equation can be solved; the obstruction is the cocycle ${\xi }_{ij}{s}_j$. This is $\xi ⌣s$. Passing to the kernel and cokernel of $T(0)$ gives exactly the derivative of the reduced matrix $M$, proving the assertion without assuming a multiplicity formula.

Before extracting the order of $\det M$, we verify that $\det T$ is a reduced equation of the theta divisor. Generic points of $W_{g-1}$ have $h^0(L)=1$ by Solution 3. At such a point, both $H^0(L)$ and $H^0(K_X\otimes L^{-1})$ are one-dimensional. Their nonzero sections $s,t$ have nonzero product $st\in H^0(K_X)$. Choose $\xi \in H^1({\mathcal{O}}_X)$ with $⟨\xi ,st⟩\ne 0$ under Serre duality. The scalar $d{M}_0(\xi )$ is nonzero, so $\det T$ has a simple zero generically on the irreducible theta divisor. Since its support is exactly that irreducible hypersurface, it defines the reduced divisor. Solution 4 independently proved the same reduced structure for the Riemann theta function. On the smooth ambient Jacobian variety, local equations of the same reduced divisor differ by a nonvanishing holomorphic unit. Hence the orders of the local theta equation and $\det M$ agree everywhere.

Every entry of $M$ vanishes at the point, so each term in its determinant has order at least $r$. This proves ${\mathrm{mult}}_z\Theta \ge r$. To obtain equality, we exhibit an invertible cup-product direction for a line bundle on a curve. Set $V=H^0(L)$ and $W=H^0(K_X\otimes L^{-1})$, both of dimension $r$. There are $r$ distinct points $p_1,\dots ,p_r$ at which evaluation is an isomorphism for $V$: choose them inductively, since a surviving nonzero section has only finitely many zeros. The same holds for $W$. The nonvanishing of each evaluation determinant defines a nonempty open subset of the irreducible variety $X^r$. Their intersection, also avoiding the diagonals, is therefore nonempty. Choose points in it and local coordinates and compatible trivializations of $L$ and $K_X\otimes L^{-1}$ at each point.

Let $\xi$ be the connecting homomorphism class of the meromorphic principal parts ${\lambda }_i/t_i$ at these points, with all ${\lambda }_i\ne 0$. The residue form of Serre duality givesIf $S$ and $U$ are the two invertible evaluation matrices, the matrix of this pairing is $S^t\mathrm{diag}({\lambda }_1,\dots ,{\lambda }_r)U$, and is invertible. Thus the cup product map $\xi ⌣-:H^0(L)\to H^1(L)$ is an isomorphism. Along the corresponding analytic parameter line,with nonzero leading coefficient. The order is at most $r$, completing the proof of the Riemann singularity theorem.

This argument also identifies the tangent cone to a theta divisor: its degree-$r$ equation is $\det (\xi ⌣-)$, which is not the zero polynomial. For $r=1$, the tangent hyperplane is $⟨\xi ,st⟩=0$, in agreement with the annihilator description of the derivative of the Abelian sum map. For $r\ge 2$ all first derivatives vanish, proving singularity. In genus $1$ the theta divisor is a single smooth point of multiplicity $1$. In genus $0$ the effective degree-$-1$ locus is empty, so there is no singularity statement at a point of it.

Put $B=\partial M$ and let $v$ be the cone vertex. Specify the convention away from the Witt case: first take intersection cohomology to mean the hypercohomology of the intersection complex $I{C}_{\bar{m}}$, normalized in degree zero on the regular stratum. The lower middle perversity at the vertex is $\bar{m}(2m+1)=m-1$. The standard local cone calculation for this convention saysand restriction to $U\simeq B$ is the identity below the cutoff. Here this can also be read directly from the construction $I{C}_{\bar{m}}={\tau }_{\le m-1}R{j}_{\ast }\mathbb{Q}$, with $j:\hat{M}\setminus \{v\}\hookrightarrow \hat{M}$: punctured conical neighbourhoods retract onto $B$, and the truncation discards the degrees above $m-1$.

Define relative intersection cohomology as the hypercohomology of the homotopy fibre of restriction, namely $R\Gamma (\hat{M},\hat{U};IC)=\mathrm{Cone}(R\Gamma (\hat{M};IC)\to R\Gamma (\hat{U};IC))[-1]$. Restricting to the pair $(M,U)$ gives a map to the corresponding ordinary relative cohomology, since $IC{|}_M={\mathbb{Q}}_M$. The induced map of exact triangles gives the requested commutative diagram:Both rows are long exact cohomology sequences of a pair. Commutativity includes the connecting homomorphisms, because they arise from the same map of restriction cones, with a common sign convention. The relative vertical maps are isomorphisms: excision removes the common conical neighbourhood, leaving precisely the manifold pair outside it, where $IC$ is constant. Also the collar retracts onto $B$, so $H^{\ast }(M,U)\cong H^{\ast }(M,B)$.

The only possible nonmanifold stratum is $v$, with link $B$ of dimension $2m$. Since intersection homology of a manifold is ordinary homology, the exact necessary and sufficient condition isThe equivalence with the defining $H_m(B;\mathbb{Q})=0$ follows from the universal coefficient theorem for cohomology over $\mathbb{Q}$. In the Witt case the cone restriction is an isomorphism through degree $m$, since both degree-$m$ groups are zero. Comparing the two exact rows, or applying the Five lemma to each five-term segment, gives $I{H}^i(\hat{M})\cong H^i(M)$ for $i\le m$. For $i>m$, both $I{H}^{i-1}(\hat{U})$ and $I{H}^i(\hat{U})$ vanish, so the top row identifies the absolute group with the relative one. HenceWithout the Witt hypothesis, comparison still gives $I{H}_{\bar{m}}^i(\hat{M})\cong H^i(M)$ for $i<m$. At degree $m$ the upper row readsThe lower row identifies the quotient by $\mathrm{im}\delta$ with the image of the relative-to-absolute map. In higher degrees both cone terms vanish. Thus the full lower-middle Deligne answer isFor clarity, if $I{H}^i$ is instead defined as the linear dual of the lower-middle intersection chains of question 1, it corresponds to the complementary upper middle perversity Deligne sheaf. Its cone group retains $H^m(B)$ as well. The same diagram then givesEquivalently the exceptional group is $H^{m+1}(M,B)/\mathrm{im}(H^m(B)\stackrel{\delta }{\to }{H}^{m+1}(M,B))$. These conventions agree under the stated Witt condition, explaining why that condition removes the ambiguity.

Take the solid torus $M=S^1\times D^2$, whose boundary is the two-dimensional torus $B=T^2$. Its ordinary cohomology is $H^0(M)=H^1(M)=\mathbb{Q}$, zero otherwise; Poincare duality for a manifold with boundary gives $H^2(M,B)=H^3(M,B)=\mathbb{Q}$ and all other relative groups zero. The lower-middle Deligne formula givesThus degrees one and two have different dimensions, so there can be no three-dimensional Poincare duality. In the dual-lower-chain convention the dimensions are $(1,1,0,1)$, which likewise fail duality. Both computations exhibit the obstruction $H^1(T^2)={\mathbb{Q}}^2\ne 0$.

Since $X$ is an irreducible variety, every nonempty open subset is irreducible and the sheaf of nonzero rational functions on an irreducible variety has value $k(X{)}^{\ast }$ there. All its restriction maps between nonempty opens are identities, and restriction to the empty set is surjective. Thus ${\mathcal{K}}_X^{\ast }$ is a flabby sheaf, and the introductory argument gives $H^1(X,{\mathcal{K}}_X^{\ast })=0$.

Apply the long exact sequence in sheaf cohomology to the short exact sequence of sheavesIts relevant portion isThe connecting homomorphism is therefore surjective, with kernel the image of $k(X{)}^{\ast }$. The computation in part (a) now givesConcretely, local rational equations $f_i$ of a divisor on an algebraic curve differ by regular units on overlaps. Their ratios give the gluing data of an invertible sheaf; changing the local equations by units changes those data by a coboundary. This is the transition-function interpretation of the identification with the Picard group. Reversing all transition ratios replaces a class by its inverse; either consistent convention gives the same group isomorphism.

Use the short exact sequence of coefficient groupsThe groups of singular chains are free, so applying the cochain construction gives a short exact sequence of cochain complexes. Its long exact sequence in cohomology has the required terms and reduction map $r_{\ast }$. Define the Bockstein homomorphism to be its connecting homomorphism.

Explicitly, represent $x$ by a mod-$p$ cocycle $a$ and lift it to an integral singular cochain $A$. Since $a$ is a cocycle, $\delta A$ is divisible by $p$. ThenThis is exactly the lift-and-coboundary construction for the coefficient sequence above: the mod-$p^2$ coboundary of $A$ lies in the image of $j$. The quotient cochain is a cocycle, since ${\delta }^{2}A=0$ and integral cochains have no $p$-torsion. Replacing $A$ by another lift adds $pC$ and changes the quotient by $\delta C$ modulo $p$; replacing the representative by a coboundary likewise leaves its cohomology class unchanged. Thus the definition is independent of choices.

A degree-zero cocycle is a function on points constant on each path component. Choose an integer representative for its value on each component. This produces an integral zero-cocycle lift, with zero coboundary. Hence the Bockstein vanishes on $H^0(X;{\mathbb{F}}_p)$ for every space.

For a nonzero example in every positive degree $i$, take the Moore space $X=S^i{\cup }_p{e}^{i+1}$, attaching the cell by a map of mapping degree $p$. Its positive-degree integral cellular cochain complex has the differential $\mathbb{Z}\stackrel{p}{\to }\mathbb{Z}$ from degree $i$ to $i+1$; when $i=1$, the preceding differential from degree zero is zero. Modulo $p$ the displayed differential vanishes, and $H^i(X;{\mathbb{F}}_p)=H^{i+1}(X;{\mathbb{F}}_p)={\mathbb{F}}_p$. Lift the degree-$i$ generator to the cellular cochain with value one. Its coboundary has value $p$, so dividing by $p$ gives the generator in degree $i+1$. Naturality of cellular and singular cohomology with coefficient sequences identifies this with the Bockstein on a cyclic Moore space. Therefore $\beta$ is nonzero, indeed an isomorphism, in the requested degree for every prime $p$.

Finally take integral lifts $A,B$ of cocycles representing $x\in H^i(X;{\mathbb{F}}_p)$ and $y\in H^j(X;{\mathbb{F}}_p)$. Write $\delta A=p{A}_1$ and $\delta B=p{B}_1$. The cochain cup product obeys the graded Leibniz identity, soDivide by $p$, reduce modulo $p$ and pass to cohomology. This proves the Bockstein derivation rule

Let $X$ be a smooth projective curve over $\mathbb{C}$, let $D={\sum }_p{m}_{p}p$ be an effective divisor on an algebraic curve of degree $d$, and identify a translate of the Jacobian variety with ${\mathrm{Pic}}^d(X)$. The precise derivative theorem iswhere ${\delta }_D$ is the connecting homomorphism ofThe target is $T_{u_d(D)}\mathrm{Jac}(X)=H^1(X,{\mathcal{O}}_X)=H^0(X,K_X{)}^{\ast }$ under Serre duality. Its dual is restriction of holomorphic differential forms to the length-$d$ closed subscheme $D$:In particular, this includes derivatives of the local coefficients at repeated points, rather than simply evaluating once for each point of the support.

Here is a local proof of all these identifications. Near a point of multiplicity $m$, take a coordinate $z$ vanishing at that point. Nearby effective divisors are represented by monic polynomials of degree $m$. A first-order deformation has equationThese coefficients are the elementary symmetric coordinates on the symmetric product of a curve; they give $m$ independent tangent directions even at a repeated point. Dividing the variation of the equation by the original equation identifies the tangent direction with the principal part $v(z)/z^m$. Doing this at each point gives $H^0({\mathcal{O}}_D(D))$, a space of dimension $d$.

To see the derivative of the line bundle directly, use the local frame $1/(z^m-\epsilon v)$ for ${\mathcal{O}}_X(D_{\epsilon })$ and the frame $1$ outside the small disks. Relative to the frame $1/z^m$ at $\epsilon =0$, its transition multiplier changes byFirst-order changes of line bundle transition functions have the form $1+\epsilon c_{ij}$; changing frames adds a Čech coboundary. Thus the tangent space to the Picard group is $H^1({\mathcal{O}}_X)$, and the derivative is exactly the Čech cocycle of these principal parts, namely ${\delta }_D$.

This agrees with differentiating the Abel integrals, including the sign. If $\omega =f(z)dz$ and $F^{\prime }=f$, the sum of $F$ at the roots of $z^m-\epsilon v$ has derivativeFor example, expand $F={\sum }_{k\ge 1}{f}_{k-1}{z}^k/k$. The first-order Newton identities give ${\partial }_{\epsilon }\sum z_i^k=k{v}_{m-k}$ for $1\le k\le m$, and zero for $k>m$, yielding exactly the residue above. Equivalently the same formula follows by differentiating the contour integral for the sum over roots. Serre duality pairs the principal part class with $\omega$ by the sum of these residues. Locally this pairing is perfect between the principal parts $z^{-1},\dots ,z^{-m}$ and the jets $1,z,\dots ,z^{m-1}$ times $dz$. This proves the asserted dual restriction map.

The long exact sequence in sheaf cohomology now gives the kernel and rank without any reduced-support assumption:By duality,This is the geometric form of the derivative of the Abelian sum map. For distinct points, the image is spanned by the evaluation vectors of the canonical map; at repeated points, the corresponding osculating directions must also be included. The Riemann-Roch theorem confirms the rank as $g-h^0(K_X(-D))$. When $h^0(D)=1$, the Abelian sum map is an immersion at $D$. For $d=g-1$ and $h^0(D)=1$, its image is a hyperplane annihilated by the unique nonzero holomorphic differential form vanishing along $D$, which will be the tangent hyperplane to the theta divisor.

The chain map identity $d_{D}f=f{d}_C$ gives, for $(x,y)\in M_i$,Thus $M$ is a chain complex; it is a sign convention for the algebraic mapping cone.

Put $E_i=C_{i-1}$ with differential $d_E=d_C$. Inclusion into the second summand and projection onto the first give a short exact sequence of chain complexesIts connecting homomorphism is particularly explicit. If $x\in C_{i-1}$ is a chain cycle, lift it to $(x,0)\in M_i$ and take its boundary. The second component is $(-1{)}^{i}f(x)$, so the long exact sequence in homology containsIf every $H_i(M)$ vanishes, the exact sequence makes every $f_{\ast }$ both injective and surjective. Conversely, if every $f_{\ast }$ is an isomorphism, the map $H_i(D)\to H_i(M)$ has zero image, while $H_i(M)\to H_{i-1}(C)$ has zero image and zero kernel; hence $H_i(M)=0$.

One can also see the converse directly on chain cycles. If $(x,y)\in M_i$ is a chain cycle, then $d_{C}x=0$ and $d_{D}y=-(-1{)}^{i}f(x)$. Injectivity of the induced map on homology $f_{\ast }$ gives $x=d_{C}z$. Subtracting the chain boundary $d_f(z,0)$ leaves $(0,t)$ with $d_{D}t=0$. Surjectivity of the induced map on homology $f_{\ast }$ lets us choose a chain cycle $w\in C_i$ and $v\in D_{i+1}$ such thatThen $(0,t)=d_f(w,v)$. Thus every chain cycle in $M$ is a chain boundary, proving the mapping cone acyclicity criterion:

Unless a coefficient group is displayed, use integral singular cohomology. The standard CW complex structure on infinite-dimensional real projective space has one cell in each nonnegative dimension. Its cellular chain complex has boundary $d_j=2$ for positive even $j$ and $d_j=0$ for odd $j$. The cellular cohomology differential ${\delta }^j$ is therefore zero for even $j$ and multiplication by two for odd $j$. ConsequentlyMore generally, for an abelian group $A$, the positive odd groups are $A[2]=\{a:2a=0\}$ and the positive even groups are $A/2A$. In particular $H^j({\mathbb{RP}}^{\infty };{\mathbb{Z}}_2)={\mathbb{Z}}_2$ in every nonnegative degree.

For the required Bockstein homomorphism, use the short exact sequenceHere $m\ge 2$; for $m=1$ all three coefficient groups are zero. Since singular chains are free abelian groups, applying cochains gives a short exact sequence of cochain complexes. Its connecting homomorphism defines $\beta$ and its long exact sequence is precisely the required one, with the other maps induced by $\iota$ and $q$.

Explicitly, represent a class by a cocycle $u\in C^n(X;{\mathbb{Z}}_m)$ and choose a lift $\tilde{u}\in C^n(X;{\mathbb{Z}}_{m^2})$. Since $q(\delta \tilde{u})=0$, there is a unique cochain $v$ with $\iota (v)=\delta \tilde{u}$. Injectivity of $\iota$ and ${\delta }^2=0$ show $\delta v=0$. DefineChanging the lift by $\iota (w)$ changes $v$ by the coboundary $\delta w$. Changing the representative $u$ by a coboundary can be lifted by a coboundary as well and leaves the resulting class unchanged. Thus this is a well-defined group homomorphism, and the standard cochain lifting argument gives exactness.

Compute the Bockstein homomorphism on infinite-dimensional real projective space using its cellular cohomology complex. A generator with coefficients ${\mathbb{Z}}_2$ is represented by $1$ in degree $n$, lifted to $1\in {\mathbb{Z}}_4$. Its coboundary is $0$ for even $n$ and $2$ for odd $n$. Dividing via $\iota (1)=2$ givesThus the odd-degree maps are isomorphisms. The comparison between cellular cohomology and singular cohomology is natural with respect to coefficient maps, so this computes the same connecting homomorphism constructed above.

The degree and its local signs. Orient $S^n$ and let $[S^n]$ generate its top reduced homology ${\tilde{H}}_n(S^n;\mathbb{Z})\cong \mathbb{Z}$. The mapping degree is the integer characterized byFor $n\ge 1$ this is the usual top homology definition using the fundamental class; using reduced homology also covers $S^0$.

Suppose $f$ is smooth and $p$ is a regular value. Each $x\in f^{-1}(p)$ has invertible tangent map $D{f}_x$, so the inverse function theorem makes $f^{-1}(p)$ discrete. It is also closed in the compact sphere, hence finite. Choose disjoint small neighborhoods of these points on which $f$ is a local diffeomorphism. The Excision theorem identifies the source local homology with the direct sum of one copy of $\mathbb{Z}$ for each inverse image. The induced local map is multiplication by $+1$ or $-1$ according as $D{f}_x$ preserves or reverses orientation. The map from the global fundamental class to these local orientation classes therefore proves the degree as a sum of local degrees formula:Here the determinant is computed in positively oriented tangent bases. Thus the mapping degree counts inverse images with signs, rather than just their cardinality.

The quotient map. Put $m=n+1$ and write $f=F{|}_{S^{m-1}}$. Give $D^m$ its standard orientation and its boundary the induced orientation. The connecting homomorphismis an isomorphism: the disk has zero positive reduced homology. It sends the relative fundamental class $[D^m,S^{m-1}]$ to $[S^{m-1}]$. If the map on relative homology induced by $F$ multiplies this class by $d$, naturality givesThus $d=\mathrm{deg}f$. Collapsing the boundary gives a sphere $D^m/S^{m-1}\cong S^m$, and the quotient map identifies its top reduced homology with the top relative homology of the disk pair. Give this quotient sphere the orientation determined by that identification. The relation $qF=\tilde{F}q$ now showsThis is the quotient-sphere degree identity.

The graph intersection. Orient $D^m\times D^m$ by the product orientation, orient $N=D^m\times \{0\}$ by its first factor, and orient the graph of a function $\Gamma$ by $x\mapsto (x,F(x))$. An intersection is precisely a zero of $F$, and no such zero lies on the boundary because $F(S^{m-1})\subset S^{m-1}$. At an intersection, transverse intersection means that $D{F}_x$ is surjective, hence invertible. The zeros are consequently isolated and finite.

For the smooth intersection number use the ordered tangent spaces $T_{x}N$ first and $T_{(x,F(x))}\Gamma$ second. Relative to the product basis their concatenated basis has matrixIts determinant is $\det D{F}_x$, so the intersection sign is ${ϵ}_x=\mathrm{sgn}\det D{F}_x$. By the same local Excision theorem argument, now in relative homology at the interior point $0$, the sum of these signs equals the multiplier of $F_{\ast }$ on $H_m(D^m,S^{m-1};\mathbb{Z})$. Therefore the graph intersection formula for mapping degree isIf the tangent spaces are ordered $\Gamma$ first and $N$ second, every sign changes by $(-1{)}^m$; the order above specifies the appropriate convention.

The one-dimensional model $F(x)=2x^3-x$ on $[-1,1]$ illustrates the graph intersection formula for mapping degree: its three zeros have signs $+1,-1,+1$, and its endpoint map has mapping degree $1$ on reduced homology.

The Mayer–Vietoris sequence for $K=M\cup N$ is the long exact sequence in homologyWe use integer coefficients. A simplicial cycle $c$ in $K$ can be written $c=m+n$ with chains in $M,N$. Since $\partial m=-\partial n$, this chain lies in $M\cap N$ and is a cycle. Define ${\partial }_n[c]=[\partial m]$; changing the splitting or the cycle representative changes this by a boundary, giving a well-defined connecting homomorphism.

First consider two acyclic subcomplexes. Their intersection is either empty or acyclic. If empty, positive-degree homology of their disjoint union vanishes. If nonempty, the reduced Mayer–Vietoris sequence implies the same conclusion, including degree one since the intersection has zero reduced $H_0$. This proves the claim for two subcomplexes.

Inductively let $U=M_1\cup \cdots \cup M_{n-1}$, $V=M_n$, and $W=U\cap V={\bigcup }_{i<n}(M_i\cap M_n)$. Discard empty members as necessary. Both $U$ and $W$ satisfy the same intersection hypothesis with at most $n-1$ members, so their homology vanishes in degrees at least $n-2$. The exact segment $H_i(U)\oplus H_i(V)\to H_i(K)\to H_{i-1}(W)$ then gives $\boxed{H_i(K)=0\text{ for }i\ge n-1}$. For $n\ge 3$ these degrees are positive and the induction applies directly; empty $W$ again means a disjoint union.

For sharpness, take the boundary of an $(n-1)$-simplex, covered by its $n$ facets. Every nonempty proper intersection of facets is a simplex and thus has the homology of a point; the intersection of all facets is empty. The union is a sphere $S^{n-2}$ and $H_{n-2}$ is nonzero. For $n=2$ it is two isolated vertices and $H_0\cong {\mathbb{Z}}^2$; for $n\ge 3$, $H_{n-2}\cong \mathbb{Z}$. The degree bound cannot be lowered.

First account for the unlabelled coefficient-sequence construction. The two short exact sequences of abelian groups areThe singular chain groups of $X$ are free abelian. Applying $\mathrm{Hom}(C_q(X),-)$ therefore preserves these exact sequences, degree by degree, giving short exact sequences of cochain complexes. The associated long exact sequence from a coefficient sequence gives the displayed maps in cohomology; the connecting maps are the integral Bockstein homomorphism $\hat{\beta }$ and the modulo-$n$ Bockstein homomorphism $\beta$. The first omitted map is multiplication by $n$, and the second is induced by $j$.

For the requested example, attach an $(i+1)$-cell to $S^i$ using a map of degree $n$. The resulting Moore space $X=M(\mathbb{Z}/n,i)$ has positive-degree cellular chain complexin degrees $i+1,i$. This construction also works for $i=1$, using the degree-$n$ map of the circle. In cellular cohomology with coefficients $\mathbb{Z}/n$, the differential is zero, so both $H^i$ and $H^{i+1}$ are $\mathbb{Z}/n$.

Lift the cochain taking value $1$ on the $i$-cell to a cochain with coefficients $\mathbb{Z}/n^2$. Its coboundary takes value $n$ on the $(i+1)$-cell, which is $j(1)$. The definition of the connecting homomorphism therefore sends the degree-$i$ generator to the degree-$(i+1)$ generator. HenceIt is nonzero for every $i\ge 1$ and $n\ge 2$, including composite $n$. This is the Bockstein on a cyclic Moore space.