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The intersection hypothesis says that $X$ is a semi-separated scheme. For an affine open subscheme $V\subseteq X$, the intersection $V\cap U$ is affine. Restricting the given short exact sequence of sheaves to it and applying the affine module-sheaf equivalence gives an exact sequence of global sections:These are exactly the sections on $V$ of the three direct image sheaves. Affine opens form a basis, and every section of the last sheaf on such a basis open lifts to the middle sheaf. This proves surjectivity as a sheaf morphism; left exactness of direct image supplies the other positions. Hence direct image preserves this short exact sequence. The crucial ingredient is exactness of sections of quasi-coherent sheaves on an affine intersection; arbitrary open immersions need not have this property.

For the cohomology comparison, every nonempty finite intersectionis affine. This follows by mathematical induction, intersecting the affine intersection already obtained with the next affine open. The restriction of $\mathcal{F}$ to it is quasi-coherent, so vanishing of quasi-coherent cohomology on an affine scheme givesWe now prove why this local vanishing gives the acyclic cover theorem, rather than identifying the two sorts of cohomology without a comparison.

Take a flasque resolution $0\to \mathcal{F}\to {\mathcal{I}}^0\to {\mathcal{I}}^1\to \cdots$. Here a flabby sheaf has surjective restriction maps; its restrictions to open subsets are still flabby and have zero higher sheaf cohomology. Form the double complexThe horizontal differential is the alternating restriction map $d_{\mathrm{C}}$; the vertical one $d_{\mathrm{I}}$ is induced by the resolution. They commute, so the total differential in bidegree $(p,q)$ is $d_{\mathrm{C}}+(-1{)}^p{d}_{\mathrm{I}}$ and has square zero. The Čech resolution on a semi-separated scheme uses precisely these intersections.

A flabby sheaf has zero positive Čech cohomology for a finite open cover, and its degree-zero Čech cohomology is its global sections. One way to establish this auxiliary fact is to use the exact augmented two-open complexExactness at the first two terms is the sheaf gluing axiom; the last map is onto because a section on the intersection extends to $V$. For the induction step, write $V$ for the union of all but the last open and $W$ for the last open. Separate Čech cochains according to whether their index list contains the last index. The resulting two-block complex compares the smaller cover of $V$ with its restricted cover of $V\cap W$, together with $\Gamma (W,\mathcal{I})$ in degree zero. By induction those two smaller cover complexes have cohomology only in degree zero, where they give $\Gamma (V,\mathcal{I})$ and $\Gamma (V\cap W,\mathcal{I})$. The displayed two-open exact sequence then gives zero positive-degree cohomology for the full cover. This proves the auxiliary fact by induction on the number of opens. Thus horizontal cohomology of $C^{\bullet ,q}$ consists only of $\Gamma (X,{\mathcal{I}}^q)$ in degree zero. Computing the cohomology of the total complex first horizontally therefore gives $H^n(X,\mathcal{F})$, by the resolution principle for sheaf cohomology.

On the other hand, vertical cohomology issince the restricted flasque resolutions compute cohomology on each intersection. The already established affine vanishing makes all rows with $q>0$ zero. The surviving row $q=0$ is exactly the Čech cochain complex ${\check{C}}^{\bullet }(\mathcal{U},\mathcal{F})$. Computing total cohomology first vertically therefore gives ${\check{H}}^n(\mathcal{U},\mathcal{F})$. These two computations are justified by the two filtrations of the first-quadrant double complex: in every total degree only finitely many terms occur, and the cover also bounds the horizontal degree. Their edge maps give the natural identificationFor negative degrees both groups are zero by convention. In particular, degree zero is the usual identification by the sheaf gluing axiom, not merely a comparison of dimensions.

For the Sheaf of relative Kähler differentials on $X={\mathbb{P}}_{\mathbb{C}}^3$, the cotangent form of the Euler sequence isThe last arrow is onto because at least one homogeneous coordinate is invertible on each standard affine chart. Locally its kernel is the rank-three module generated by the differentials of the three affine coordinates, yielding the displayed Sheaf of relative Kähler differentials. The cohomology of twisting sheaves on projective space gives $H^q(X,{\mathcal{O}}_X(-1))=0$ for every $q$, while $H^0(X,{\mathcal{O}}_X)=\mathbb{C}$ and its positive-degree groups vanish. The long exact sequence in sheaf cohomology therefore gives the cotangent-sheaf cohomology of projective space in this dimension:The isomorphism for $q=1$ is the connecting map from the constant global sections of ${\mathcal{O}}_X$. The Euler characteristic of a coherent sheaf is the alternating sum of dimensions, explaining the minus sign.

For the curve, put $S=\mathbb{C}[t_0,t_1,t_2,t_3]$. It is a unique factorization domain, so irreducibility of $F$ makes $(F)$ a prime ideal. Also $F$ does not divide $G$: otherwise irreducibility of $G$ would make them associates, contrary to their distinct degrees. Thus the image of $G$ is a nonzero element of the integral domain $S/(F)$. It follows that $(F,G)$ is a regular sequence. Its Koszul complex is an exact sequence, and graded sheafification giveswhere $i:Z\hookrightarrow X$ is the closed immersion. The signs make the composite $F(-G)+GF=0$. The shifts come respectively from $5+7$, $5$, and $7$.

Let ${\mathcal{I}}_Z$ be the ideal sheaf of a closed subscheme. Split this Koszul resolution intoFor all integers $d$, $H^1(X,{\mathcal{O}}_X(d))=H^2(X,{\mathcal{O}}_X(d))=0$. Also $H^1(X,{\mathcal{O}}_X)=H^2(X,{\mathcal{O}}_X)=0$. The two long exact sequences in sheaf cohomology, together with sheaf cohomology under a closed inclusion, consequently identifyBy Serre duality, $H^3(X,{\mathcal{O}}_X(-m))\cong S_{m-4}^{\ast }$ for $m\ge 4$. Counting degree-$d$ monomials in four variables gives $\dim S_d=\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{d+3}{3}\right)$. Thus the source has dimension $\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{11}{3}\right)=165$, and the two target spaces have dimensions $\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{4}{3}\right)=4$ and $\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{6}{3}\right)=20$. The rank-nullity theorem proves the requested bound:

In fact equality holds. Under the Serre duality pairings, the dual of this map isIf $Ga=Fb$, primeness of $F$ and $F\nmid G$ imply $F\mid a$. But $a$ has degree one and $F$ has degree five, forcing $a=0$, and then $b=0$. The dual map is injective, so the original map is surjective and its kernel has dimension $141$. Thus the lower bound is attained for every pair allowed in the question. No smoothness assumption is needed. The regular sequence cuts out a projective complete intersection of dimension one. Also $H^0(X,{\mathcal{I}}_Z)=H^1(X,{\mathcal{I}}_Z)=0$, by the negative twists and the intermediate cohomology vanishing in the first short exact sequence, so the second gives $H^0(Z,{\mathcal{O}}_Z)=\mathbb{C}$. This is the genus of a complete-intersection space curve: the first cohomology has dimension $141$, equal to its arithmetic genus.

Kummer theory studies extracting roots through Galois actions, and on an elliptic curve the corresponding operation is division of points. The bridge is a cocycle: different Galois conjugates of a chosen division point differ by torsion. Controlling the ramification of these cocycles is what proves the Weak Mordell-Weil theorem.

Classically, for a characteristic-zero field $K$, the sequenceis exact. Hilbert's theorem 90 gives $H^1(K,{\overline{K}}^{\times })=0$, so Galois cohomology identifiesThe class of $a$ is represented by $\sigma \mapsto \sigma (\sqrt[m]{a})/\sqrt[m]{a}$. If ${\mu }_m\subset K$, the module is constant and these are continuous characters into ${\mu }_m$; the associated fields are cyclic Kummer extensions of degree dividing $m$. Several such classes give abelian extensions of exponent dividing $m$. Without the roots-of-unity hypothesis the cohomological description still holds, but the action on ${\mu }_m$ must not be discarded.

For an elliptic curve over a number field $K$, multiplication by $m\ge 2$ gives the exact sequence of Galois modulesThe map is onto because it is a nonconstant isogeny over an algebraically closed field. For $P\in E(K)$ choose $Q\in E(\overline{K})$ with $mQ=P$, and setIt satisfies $\delta (P{)}_{\sigma \tau }=\delta (P{)}_{\sigma }+\sigma \delta (P{)}_{\tau }$, the Galois 1-cocycle identity. Changing $Q$ by a torsion point of an elliptic curve changes the cocycle by a coboundary. If the class is zero, a corresponding change of $Q$ makes it Galois-fixed, so $P\in mE(K)$. Conversely a rational division point gives the zero class. Thus the Kummer map of an elliptic curve is injective on the quotient, and the cohomology sequence givesThis is the Kummer exact sequence of an elliptic curve. The last group parametrizes the appropriate torsor classes. It is important that the entire middle group need not be finite; an unrestricted Kummer class can ramify at arbitrarily many primes.

The Weak Mordell-Weil theorem states $E(K)/mE(K)$ is finite for every number field $K$ and every $m\ge 1$. The case $m=1$ is trivial. To prove the remaining cases, choose a finite set $S$ containing the primes of bad reduction and the primes dividing $m$. At a prime outside $S$, the elliptic curve extends to a smooth proper group scheme over the valuation ring, and $[m]$ is finite étale. Properness extends a local rational point to a section; its division fibre is a finite étale torsor over that ring. Therefore its Kummer class is unramified. This is unramified division torsors at good primes, and shows that ${\delta }_m(E(K))$ lies in first Galois cohomology unramified outside a finite set.

Let $L=K(E[m])$, enlarged if necessary to contain ${\mu }_m$, and include in $S$ the finitely many primes ramified in $L/K$. This is a finite Galois extension. Over $L$ the torsion module is constant, isomorphic to $(\mathbb{Z}/m\mathbb{Z}{)}^2$, and so to two copies of ${\mu }_m$. Restricting a cocycle to $G_L$ therefore reduces it to two classical Kummer classes unramified outside the primes above $S$. Such a class is represented by $a\in L^{\times }$ satisfyingWrite this power-class group as $L(S_L,m)$. The implication follows locally because, away from residue characteristic dividing $m$, the valuation of an unramified $m$th-root extension must be divisible by $m$.

Its finiteness comes from two standard arithmetic finiteness results, rather than from an assertion that all of $L^{\times }/(L^{\times }{)}^m$ is finite. The valuations outside $S_L$ associate to $a$ an ideal whose $m$th power is principal. There is an exact sequenceThe left group is finite by the finite generation of the S-unit group, and the right group is finite by finiteness of the ideal class group. This proves finiteness of S-unramified Kummer classes. Hence there are only finitely many restricted cocycles over $L$. The kernel of restriction from $K$ is contained in $H^1(\mathrm{Gal}(L/K),E[m])$, which is finite because both group and module are finite. The restricted cohomology group over $K$ is therefore finite, and its injected subgroup $E(K)/mE(K)$ is finite too. This completes a Kummer-theoretic proof of the weak Mordell-Weil theorem.

For arithmetic computation one adds local conditions. The Selmer group of an elliptic curve consists of classes in $H^1(K,E[m])$ whose restriction at every completion $K_v$ lies in the image of the corresponding local Kummer map. They are unramified outside the same finite set, so this group is finite. The failure of a everywhere locally soluble torsor to have a global point is measured by the Tate–Shafarevich group, defined as the kernel of the local restriction map on $H^1(K,E)$. The resulting exact sequence isThus the Selmer group of an elliptic curve gives a computable upper bound for the quotient; actual rational points supply lower bounds. Equality need not follow just from local solubility. Finiteness of this fixed torsion subgroup does not prove finiteness of the whole Tate–Shafarevich group.

Finally, weak finiteness alone is not finite generation: the additive group $\mathbb{Q}$ has trivial quotients by multiplication and is not finitely generated. The additional ingredient for the Mordell-Weil theorem is height descent. Choose representatives $P_i$ of $E(K)/mE(K)$ and write $P=P_i+mQ$. The quadratic growth of the canonical height of an elliptic curve, together with bounds for translation by the finitely many $P_i$, makes $Q$ have smaller height whenever $P$ is sufficiently large. Northcott theorem gives only finitely many points of bounded height, and repeated descent yields a finite generating set. This explains the roles of Kummer theory, local information and heights without conflating the weak and full theorems.

The height of a prime ideal is the supremum of the lengths of strict chains of prime ideals ending at $P$:The last equality follows from the prime ideal correspondence for localization. Here is a length-growth proof of the Krull height theorem that makes the bound explicit.

We first establish a prime-chain lower bound for local length. For a Noetherian local ring $(B,\mathfrak{m})$ admitting a prime chain of length $d$, put $H_B(t)=\mathrm{length}(B/{\mathfrak{m}}^t)$. Thenfor some $c>0$. For $d=0$, use $H_B(t)\ge 1$. For $d>0$, quotient by the first prime ideal of the chain; this only decreases $H_B$ and reduces us to a local integral domain $B$ withTake $0\ne a\in P_1$ and put $C=B/(a)$. It has a prime chain of length $d-1$, so induction bounds $H_C(t)$ below by a positive multiple of $t^{d-1}$.

The Artin-Rees lemma applied to $(a)\subseteq B$ gives, for a fixed integer $c_0\ge 1$,Because $a$ is a non-zero-divisor, the first term in the exact sequencehas length at least $H_B(t-c_0)$. HenceIterate this inequality about $t/(2c_0)$ times, while its arguments remain at least $t/2$. This gives the desired positive multiple of $t^d$. The particular Artin-Rees lemma inclusion used here follows directly from finite generation: the Rees algebra ${⨁}_{j\ge 0}{\mathfrak{m}}^j{t}^j$ is Noetherian, by the Hilbert basis theorem, and its graded submodule ${⨁}_j((a)\cap {\mathfrak{m}}^j)t^j$ has finitely many homogeneous generators. A bound on their degrees gives $c_0$.

Now localize at the given minimal prime ideal $P$. Write $B=R_P$, $\mathfrak{m}=P{R}_P$, and $J=I{R}_P$. The only prime ideal of $B$ containing $J$ is $\mathfrak{m}$, so $\sqrt{J}=\mathfrak{m}$. Since $\mathfrak{m}$ is finitely generated, some ${\mathfrak{m}}^q\subseteq J$. Thus $B/J$ has finite module length, say $L$. The ideal $J$ is generated by at most $n$ elements.

For $n>0$, products of these generators give a surjection from $\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{j+n-1}{n-1}\right)$ copies of $B/J$ onto $J^j/J^{j+1}$. Summing the lengths gives the generator bound for primary-ideal lengthSince $J\subseteq \mathfrak{m}$, we have $J^t\subseteq {\mathfrak{m}}^t$, and thereforeThe prime-chain lower bound for local length now excludes any chain of length greater than $n$. ConsequentlyFor $n=0$, minimality over the zero ideal says that $P$ is a minimal prime ideal, so its height is zero. This also handles that boundary case.

For a finitely generated module $V={⨁}_d{V}_d$ over the graded ring $S=k[X_1,\dots ,X_n]$, with each $X_i$ of degree one, its Poincare series of a graded module isThis is also its Hilbert series. One usually takes $d\ge 0$; allowing an integer grading also permits finitely many negative degrees. Homogeneous generators of degrees $a_1,\dots ,a_h$ give a surjection ${⨁}_{j}S(-a_j)\to V$, where the graded shift is defined by $V(-a{)}_d=V_{d-a}$. Consequently every $V_d$ is a finite-dimensional vector space and $V_d=0$ for all sufficiently negative $d$.

The Hilbert-Serre theorem in the standard grading saysFor a nonnegatively graded $V$, the numerator is in $\mathbb{Z}[t]$. Equivalently, the only possible pole of this rational expression is at $t=1$, with order at most $n$.

We prove the Hilbert-Serre theorem by induction on the number of variables. For $n=0$, $S=k$ and $V$ is a finite-dimensional graded module; thus $P_V(t)$ is a Laurent polynomial. Suppose $n>0$ and putThe Hilbert basis theorem makes $S$ a Noetherian ring, so $K$ is a finitely generated module, as is $C$. Both are graded modules killed by $X_n$, hence finitely generated over $S^{\prime }=k[X_1,\dots ,X_{n-1}]$.

The graded exact sequenceidentifies the kernel and cokernel of multiplication by $X_n$. Taking the alternating sum of the finite-dimensional degree components yieldssoBy induction the right side has denominator $(1-t{)}^{n-1}$, which proves the required denominator $(1-t{)}^n$. Since $(1-t{)}^n{P}_V(t)$ has no negative powers when $V$ is nonnegatively graded, its Laurent polynomial numerator is an ordinary polynomial in that case.

For $n\ge 1$, this also implies the usual Hilbert polynomial consequence. Writing $Q(t)={\sum }_j{q}_j{t}^j$ and usinggives, for all sufficiently large $d$,a polynomial in $d$ of degree at most $n-1$. For $n=0$, the graded pieces are eventually zero.

For the final request, a free resolution of $V$ is an exact sequencewith each $F_i$ a free module. In the graded setting we take finite direct sums of shifts $S(-a)$ and maps preserving degree. The resolution has length at most $n$ if $F_i=0$ for every $i>n$. The syzygy modules are the successive kernels which record the relations among generators, then relations among those relations, and so on.

Put $\mathfrak{m}=(X_1,\dots ,X_n)$, the homogeneous maximal ideal with $S/\mathfrak{m}=k$. Choose a homogeneous $k$-basis of $V/\mathfrak{m}V$ and lift it to $V$. These lifts generate $V$ by the graded Nakayama lemma: a bounded-below graded module $W$ satisfying $W=\mathfrak{m}W$ must be zero, since a nonzero homogeneous element of least degree could not be a sum of variables times elements of lower degrees. Apply this to the quotient by the submodule generated by the chosen lifts. This gives a surjection $F_0\to V$ inducing an isomorphism modulo $\mathfrak{m}$.

Its kernel is finitely generated because $S$ is a Noetherian ring. Repeat the construction for that kernel, then for each subsequent kernel. We obtain a minimal graded free resolution, meaningIndeed, at each stage the free cover induces an isomorphism modulo $\mathfrak{m}$, so its kernel lies in $\mathfrak{m}$ times its source. The sequence is exact by construction, though it may at first appear infinite.

The Koszul complex on $X_1,\dots ,X_n$ iswith basis vectors $e_j$ given degree one, and differentialThe hat means omission of that factor. Every pair of terms in ${\partial }^2$ cancels with opposite signs, so this is a chain complex. The sequence $X_1,\dots ,X_n$ is a regular sequence: after quotienting by the first $j-1$ variables, the next variable is a non-zero-divisor in the remaining polynomial ring.

The Koszul complex is consequently exact in positive degrees and has $H_0=k$, so it is a Koszul resolution of $k$ of length $n$. For completeness, one proves this by induction: for one variable it is $0\to S\stackrel{X_1}{\to }S\to S/(X_1)\to 0$. Appending $X_j$ constructs the mapping cone of multiplication by $X_j$ on the previous chain complex. Its homology is zero in positive degrees because $X_j$ acts injectively on $S/(X_1,\dots ,X_{j-1})$; its degree-zero homology is the further quotient. Here a mapping cone combines a chain complex with a shifted copy and adds the given multiplication map to the differential, thereby measuring its kernel and cokernel on homology.

The Tor functor ${\mathrm{Tor}}_i^S(V,k)$ is defined as the degree-$i$ homology of $F_{\bullet }{\otimes }_{S}k$ for a free resolution $F_{\bullet }$ of $V$. It can equally be computed as the homology of $V{\otimes }_S{K}_{\bullet }$, using the Koszul resolution of $k$. To see the equality, form the double complex $F_{\bullet }{\otimes }_S{K}_{\bullet }$. Taking homology first along $F_{\bullet }$ leaves $V{\otimes }_S{K}_{\bullet }$, since each $K_i$ is a free module; taking homology first along $K_{\bullet }$ leaves $F_{\bullet }{\otimes }_{S}k$, since each $F_i$ is free. The finite sums along each total degree identify both with the homology of the total complex. This also explains the symmetry used in computing the Tor functor.

Since $K_i=0$ for $i>n$, we have ${\mathrm{Tor}}_i^S(V,k)=0$ for $i>n$. On the other hand, all differentials of the minimal graded free resolution become zero after tensoring with $k=S/\mathfrak{m}$, soThus $F_i/\mathfrak{m}{F}_i=0$ for $i>n$, and the graded Nakayama lemma implies $F_i=0$ for those $i$. We have proved the required Hilbert syzygy theorem:where some initial $F_i$ may be zero. The argument supplies finitely generated graded free modules, which is stronger than merely giving an ungraded free resolution.

Use integer coefficients. The mapping-torus homology from Mayer–Vietoris works for every continuous map $f:X\to X$, without assuming that the mapping torus is a fiber bundle. Project to the time circle and choose two open arcs, one containing the seam and one away from it. The inverse image $U$ of the seam arc is a mapping cylinder neighborhood with a deformation retraction to its target copy of $X$; the inverse image $V$ of the other arc is a product with a deformation retraction to $X$. Their intersection has two components, each with a deformation retraction to $X$. Label the upper component first. With the convention that the second inclusion in the Mayer–Vietoris sequence has a minus sign, its homology map isIndeed, the upper component includes into the seam neighborhood by the identity, while retracting the lower component across the seam applies $f$. Put $u=a+b$ and $v=b$, and replace target coordinates $(p,q)$ by $(p+q,-q)$. The map becomes $((f_{\ast }-\mathrm{id})v,u)$. Negating $v$ gives a direct sum of $\mathrm{id}-f_{\ast }$ and an isomorphism. Canceling the latter summands in the long exact sequence yieldsIn particular, there is a short exact sequenceNo splitting of this short exact sequence is assumed at this stage.

For the torus, take the coordinate loops $c_1(t)=[(t,0)]$ and $c_2(t)=[(0,t)]$ as the basis of $H_1$. Their lifts to ${\mathbb{R}}^2$ have endpoint displacements $e_1,e_2$. Applying $A$ changes those displacements to its columns, soThis also follows from the identification of the first homology group with the abelianization of the fundamental group. The Künneth theorem gives $H_2(X)=\mathbb{Z}$, with generator the product orientation class. If $\alpha ,\beta$ are the dual degree-one cohomology classes, then $\alpha ⌣\beta$ evaluates to one on this generator, andThus the degree-two homology map is multiplication by $\det A$, as in homology of an integer torus endomorphism. The claim that the torus map is a homeomorphism requires $A$ to be a unimodular matrix, equivalently an integer inverse or $\det A=\pm 1$; nonsingularity over $\mathbb{R}$ alone would only give a covering map of finite degree. The particular matrix here is unimodular.

For this matrix, $\det A=1$ andIts kernel is zero and its Smith normal form is $\mathrm{diag}(1,2)$, so its cokernel is $\mathbb{Z}/2$. The maps $\mathrm{id}-f_{\ast }$ on $H_0$ and $H_2$ are zero. Substituting into the short exact sequences, and splitting the degree-one extension because its quotient $\mathbb{Z}$ is free, gives

For the sphere homology calculation use singular homology, homotopy invariance of homology, and the reduced Mayer–Vietoris sequence, not cellular homology. For a point, its chain group for singular homology is $\mathbb{Z}$ in every nonnegative degree, and its boundary operator is multiplication by ${\sum }_{i=0}^q(-1{)}^i$, hence alternately zero and one in positive degrees. Its homology is therefore $\mathbb{Z}$ in degree zero and zero above. Singular chains of a disjoint union split into the summand chain complexes. Start with $S^0$, the disjoint union of two points: $H_0(S^0;\mathbb{Z})={\mathbb{Z}}^2$, all positive groups vanish, and ${\tilde{H}}_0(S^0;\mathbb{Z})=\mathbb{Z}$. For $n\ge 1$, remove the north and south poles to obtain an open cover $U,V$ of $S^n$. Each member is contractible, while $U\cap V$ has a deformation retraction to $S^{n-1}$, including the disconnected intersection when $n=1$. The reduced exact sequence therefore suppliesAlso $S^n$ is connected, so its reduced degree-zero group vanishes. Induction givesThe separate $S^0$ calculation avoids conflating its two degree-zero generators.

Choose an orientation of $S^n$, with $n\ge 1$, and let $[S^n]$ be its fundamental class. The mapping degree is the integer determined by $f_{\ast }[S^n]=\mathrm{deg}(f)[S^n]$. To define the local degree at $x_0$, set $y_0=f(x_0)$ and require $x_0$ to be isolated in $f^{-1}(y_0)$. Choose an open neighborhood $B$ containing no other point of that fiber. Then $f$ defines a map of pairsThe degree-$n$ relative homology groups on both sides are $\mathbb{Z}$, by a manifold chart and excision. The local orientation of a manifold chooses their generators. The induced map multiplies these generators by an integer, denoted ${\mathrm{deg}}_{x_0}f$. Excision and naturality show independence of the choice of $B$. Differentiability is unnecessary; if $f$ is smooth and $D{f}_{x_0}$ is invertible, the inverse function theorem gives ${\mathrm{deg}}_{x_0}f=\mathrm{sign}\det D{f}_{x_0}$ relative to the orientations. Without isolation in the fiber this pointwise definition need not apply.

For the degree as a sum of local degrees, assume $y\in S^n$ has finite fiber $F=\{x_1,\dots ,x_s\}$. Disjoint coordinate neighborhoods and excision identifyThe absolute fundamental class maps to the tuple of local orientation generators. Under the relative map induced by $f$, the $j$th generator goes to ${\mathrm{deg}}_{x_j}f$ times the generator at $y$, and the resulting map from the direct sum adds these contributions. On the other hand, naturality says that first applying the absolute map $f_{\ast }$ and then passing to the local group at $y$ gives $\mathrm{deg}(f)$ times that generator. ThusIf the fiber is empty the sum is zero: the map factors through the contractible punctured sphere and has degree zero. If every point of a fiber is isolated, compactness makes that closed fiber finite, so the theorem applies. In particular, a regular value of a smooth map gives the signed count of its inverse images. For $n=0$, define a mapping degree on the reduced generator $[p_{+}]-[p_{-}]$: the identity has mapping degree one, the swap of the two points minus one, and either constant map zero. With local orientation signs positive at $p_{+}$ and negative at $p_{-}$, the same sum formula holds. The connected-sphere convention above is the standard positive-dimensional one.

The real tautological line bundle has total space $E=\{(\ell ,v):\ell \in {\mathbb{RP}}^n,v\in \ell \}$ and projection $(\ell ,v)\mapsto \ell$. On the open chart $U_i=\{[x]:x_i\ne 0\}$, the vector $s_i([x])=x/x_i$ is a continuous nowhere-zero section of a vector bundle, independent of the representative of $[x]$. The explicit local trivialization iswith inverse $([x],v)\mapsto ([x],v_i)$. Both maps are continuous and linear on each fiber. The charts cover the base, proving the existence of the required local trivializations.

Let $E\to B$ be a rank-$r$ vector bundle oriented over a commutative ring $R$, with $r\ge 1$. An $R$-orientation is a coherent choice of generator of each fiber's top relative cohomology, or equivalently a Thom class $u_E$. The Thom isomorphism theorem identifies $H^{q-r}(B;R)$ with $H^q(D(E),S(E);R)$ by $a\mapsto {\pi }^{\ast }a⌣u_E$. The disk bundle retracts to $B$, and the relative-to-absolute map becomes multiplication by the Euler class $e(E)$. The pair's long exact sequence therefore becomes the Gysin sequence of a sphere bundle:With real coefficients, the bundle must be oriented in the usual sense. For the computation here use $R={\mathbb{F}}_2$, over which every real vector bundle is oriented, including the nonorientable real tautological line bundle when $n\ge 1$.

The unit sphere bundle of ${\gamma }_n$ is $S^n$: a unit vector determines its line. Put $a=e_2({\gamma }_n)=w_1({\gamma }_n)\in H^1({\mathbb{RP}}^n;{\mathbb{F}}_2)$. For $n\ge 1$, the pullback $H^0({\mathbb{RP}}^n;{\mathbb{F}}_2)\to H^0(S^n;{\mathbb{F}}_2)$ is an isomorphism, so the next connecting homomorphism is zero and multiplication by $a$ is injective on $H^0$. Since the sphere's cohomology vanishes strictly between degrees zero and $n$, exactness makes multiplication by $a$ an isomorphism $H^{q-1}\to H^q$ for $1\le q<n$, and injective for $q=n$. For $q=1$ these assertions also use the just-noted vanishing of the connecting homomorphism from $H^0(S^n)$.

The standard $n$-dimensional CW complex structure of Real projective space gives $H^q=0$ for $q>n$. Consequently the segment $H^n(S^n;{\mathbb{F}}_2)\to H^n({\mathbb{RP}}^n;{\mathbb{F}}_2)\stackrel{⌣a}{\to }{H}^{n+1}({\mathbb{RP}}^n;{\mathbb{F}}_2)=0$ makes $H^n$ at most one-dimensional. The preceding injectivity makes it exactly one-dimensional, generated by $a^n$. This includes $n=1$; $n=0$ is a point separately. We have derived the multiplication, not just the dimensions:

An odd map between spheres descends to $\bar{f}:{\mathbb{RP}}^n\to {\mathbb{RP}}^m$. The odd maps pull back the real tautological line bundle argument gives ${\gamma }_n\cong {\bar{f}}^{\ast }{\gamma }_m$: with $x$ a unit vector the fiber map is $tx\mapsto tf(x)$, unchanged when $(x,t)$ is replaced by $(-x,-t)$. Naturality of the first Stiefel–Whitney class gives ${\bar{f}}^{\ast }b=a$. If $n>m$, the relation $b^{m+1}=0$ would imply $a^{m+1}=0$ in a ring where this power is nonzero. Hence $\boxed{n\le m}$. The case $n=0$ is immediate, and the same argument rules out $m=0<n$.

For the map with separate oddness, pass to $\bar{g}:{\mathbb{RP}}^n\times {\mathbb{RP}}^n\to {\mathbb{RP}}^n$. Let $a,b$ be the degree-one classes from its two domain factors and $c$ the target class. There is an isomorphismgiven on fibers by $(sx)\otimes (ty)\mapsto stg(x,y)$; flipping either unit representative leaves this map well defined. The First Stiefel–Whitney class of a tensor product of real line bundles gives ${\bar{g}}^{\ast }c=a+b$. By the Künneth theorem,Pulling back $c^{n+1}=0$ shows that $(a+b{)}^{n+1}=0$. The two end monomials already vanish, while every interior monomial $a^j{b}^{n+1-j}$, $1\le j\le n$, is a distinct nonzero basis element. Therefore all interior binomial coefficients in row $N=n+1$ are even. To identify such rows, write $N={\sum }_{i\in I}{2}^i$. In ${\mathbb{F}}_2[t]$ repeated squaring gives $(1+t{)}^N={\prod }_{i\in I}(1+t^{2^i})$. If $I$ has at least two elements, the coefficient of $t^{2^{\min I}}$ is one and its exponent is strictly between zero and $N$, a contradiction. Thus $N$ is a power of two, as in binomial coefficients with even interior terms, andThis is the necessary cohomological obstruction to separately odd sphere multiplication; it does not assert existence in every dimension of this form.

Use ${\mathbb{F}}_2$ coefficients throughout. Write $h=c_1(\mathcal{O}(1))\mathrm{mod}2$ on Complex projective space and $a=w_1({\gamma }_d)$ on Real projective space. We use the standard cohomology ring of complex projective space ${\mathbb{F}}_2[h]/(h^{d+1})$, with $|h|=2$, and the real projective calculation from the preceding solution. The complex projective calculation follows, for example, from its one cell in each even dimension together with the fact that transverse projective hyperplanes represent the powers of $h$; $d$ such hyperplanes have one intersection point.

For the standard inclusion $i:{\mathbb{RP}}^d\hookrightarrow {\mathbb{CP}}^d$, the restricted complex tautological line is ${\gamma }_d{\otimes }_{\mathbb{R}}\mathbb{C}$. As a real vector bundle it is ${\gamma }_d\oplus {\gamma }_d$, whose total Stiefel–Whitney class is $(1+a{)}^2=1+a^2$. The Stiefel–Whitney class of the underlying real bundle of a complex line identifies its degree-two class with its First Chern class reduced modulo two. Passing to the dual line defining $h$ changes only a sign, which disappears modulo two. Thus mod-two restriction from complex to real projective space gives $i^{\ast }h=a^2$. In particular the answer for dimension two is the ring mapIt sends $1$ to $1$, is an isomorphism in degree two, and sends $h^2$ to zero.

Now assume $k\ge 1$ and put $M={\mathbb{CP}}^{2k}$, $N={\mathbb{RP}}^{2k}$, $U=M\setminus N$, with inclusions $i:N\hookrightarrow M$ and $j:U\hookrightarrow M$. The real dimensions are $4k$ and $2k$, respectively. A tubular neighborhood and excision identify the cohomology of $(M,U)$ with that of the normal disk bundle relative to its sphere bundle. Every real normal bundle is oriented over ${\mathbb{F}}_2$, so the Thom isomorphism theorem givesUnder this identification the relative-to-absolute map is the cohomological Gysin map of an embedding $i_{!}$. The exact sequence of the pair is thereforeHere $\delta$ denotes the ordinary connecting homomorphism followed by the inverse of the isomorphism supplied by the Thom isomorphism theorem.

To compute $i_{!}$, use mod-two Poincare duality and its evaluation formulaFor $0\le r\le k$, take $b=a^{2r}$ and $z=h^{k-r}$. The right side is $⟨a^{2k},[N{]}_2⟩=1$. Since the target group is generated by $h^{k+r}$ and $⟨h^{2k},[M{]}_2⟩=1$, this provesOdd-degree classes have zero image because $M$ has no odd-degree cohomology. Exactness now givesFor precision, below degree $2k-1$ the restriction map is an isomorphism. In degree $2k-1$ the next map is $i_{!}:H^0(N)\to H^{2k}(M)$, an isomorphism, so the complement group is zero. In even degrees $2k+2r$, $0\le r<k$, the preceding $i_{!}$ is an isomorphism and the following odd-degree $i_{!}$ is zero; consequently $\delta :H^{2k+2r}(U)\to H^{2r+1}(N)$ is an isomorphism. The intervening odd groups and the top group $H^{4k}(U)$ vanish.