Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 iii Paper 146 2 i Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Take . For any Lagrangian embedding of into a symplectic four-manifold, the symplectic form identifies the normal bundle with . The self-intersection formula and the Euler characteristic giveup to the harmless orientation sign. If a smooth isotopy displaced , its final image would represent the same homology class but have intersection number zero with , a contradiction. This is the smooth non-displaceability from self-intersection.
For a compact ambient example, equip with . Its diagonalis Lagrangian because the two summands cancel on , and the preceding argument shows that it is not smoothly displaceable.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 iii Paper 162 3 iv Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-03
Now and has rank . Write , so the pushforward of the fundamental class isThe self-intersection formula and the calculation of giveOn the other hand, pulling back makes the left side . Integrating over givesSince , cancellation yields
Self-intersection of the diagonal of a curve 2026-10-14
For a smooth projective algebraic curve , the normal bundle of its diagonal in is : on the diagonal the quotient of by the diagonal subbundle is identified with by taking the difference. The self-intersection formula therefore gives .