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''&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "...a simplicial complex K in R<sup>n</sup><sup></sup>is a collection of simplices in R<sup>n</sup> such that...every face of K is in K, and...the intersection of any two faces of K is a face of each of them."''[[3]]<br>  
 
''&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "...a simplicial complex K in R<sup>n</sup><sup></sup>is a collection of simplices in R<sup>n</sup> such that...every face of K is in K, and...the intersection of any two faces of K is a face of each of them."''[[3]]<br>  
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[[Image:Simplicialcomplexexample.png]]<br>
  
 
<br> A graph is a thing made of point, some of which are linked by line segments. Generalize the idea to points that can also be grouped into triangles, or tetrahedra, etc.  
 
<br> A graph is a thing made of point, some of which are linked by line segments. Generalize the idea to points that can also be grouped into triangles, or tetrahedra, etc.  
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[[3]] Found at http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SimplicialComplex.html, adapted from J. R. Munkres, "Simplicial Complexes and Simplicial Maps," 1993.<br>  
 
[[3]] Found at http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SimplicialComplex.html, adapted from J. R. Munkres, "Simplicial Complexes and Simplicial Maps," 1993.<br>  
  
 
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[[2014 Spring MA 375 Walther|Back to MA375 Spring 2014]]  
 
[[2014 Spring MA 375 Walther|Back to MA375 Spring 2014]]  
  
 
[[Category:MA375Spring2014Walther]] [[Category:Math]] [[Category:Project]]
 
[[Category:MA375Spring2014Walther]] [[Category:Math]] [[Category:Project]]

Revision as of 11:04, 27 April 2014

Introduction:

A simplicial complex is a special type of graph wherein the notion of a vertex is replaced with a new higher dimensional analog, called a simplex. A simplex is, in simplest terms, an n-dimensional collection of vertices enclosed by faces.




Definitions:

Graph:

     "A graph G = (V, E) consists of V, a nonempty set of vertices (or nodes) and E, a set of edges. Each edge has either one or two vertices associated with it, called its endpoints. An edge is said to connect its endpoints."1

Simplex:

     "A simplex...is the generalization of a tetrahedral region of space to n dimensions."2


Simplicial Complex:

     "...a simplicial complex K in Rnis a collection of simplices in Rn such that...every face of K is in K, and...the intersection of any two faces of K is a face of each of them."3

Simplicialcomplexexample.png


A graph is a thing made of point, some of which are linked by line segments. Generalize the idea to points that can also be grouped into triangles, or tetrahedra, etc.

For graphs we know Euler's formula E+2=V+F. Give this a geometric meaning.

Discuss (maybe in the 2-dimensional case) what might replace this formula compare a "triangulated" sphere to a "triangulated" doughnut.



1 Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications, Kenneth H. Rosen.

2 http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Simplex.html.

3 Found at http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SimplicialComplex.html, adapted from J. R. Munkres, "Simplicial Complexes and Simplicial Maps," 1993.


Back to MA375 Spring 2014

Alumni Liaison

Basic linear algebra uncovers and clarifies very important geometry and algebra.

Dr. Paul Garrett