Abstract:
An embedded (n−1)(n−1)-sphere SS in RnRn is flat if it can be taken by a self homeomorphism of RnRn to the standard unit sphere. Unfortunately even in lower dimensions like n=3n=3 requiring simple connectivity of the complementary domains is not enough to characterise flatness (Fox–Artin). The following question was posed:
Is a 22-sphere SS in R3R3 flat if for any point xx of SS there is a straight line segment (according to the affine structure of R3R3) intersecting SS only in xx and having endpoints in separate complemenatry domains? Such a segment, if it exists, is called piercing. The answer was found out to be negative by Bing. However if one adds certain continuity conditions on the piercing segments, for example, that they form a bicollar around the sphere, then the answer changes and becomes a special case of the general Schoenflies Theorem (Mazur, Brown).
In fact it is possible to say a bit more for n>3n>3. That is:
If SS is an (n−1)(n−1)-sphere in RnRn, n>3n>3, then the set WW of points where it fails to be locally flat contains no isolated point. In particular WW is either empty or contains a Cantor set. This remarkable result was built up through the independent methods of Cantrell, Chernavsky and Kirby.
Zoom link: https://mi-ras-ru.zoom.us/j/95004507525 Access code: the Euler characteristic of the wedge of two circles
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