Relative homology class (source code)

= Relative homology class
{title2=$[c]\in H_n(X,A)$}

A relative homology class is represented by a <singular chain> whose boundary lies in $A$. Two representatives give the same class when their difference is a <boundary operator> image plus a chain in $A$. Thus a path with endpoints in $A$ can represent a class even when its endpoints are different.