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I am trying to show these claims:

  1. If $M,N$ are smooth manifolds without boundary. Prove that: $T(M\times N)$ is diffeomorphic to $TM\times TN$.

  2. Prove that $TT^n$ is diffeomorphic to $T^n\times R^n$. ($T^n=S^1\times \cdots \times S^1$).

Definition: The tangent bundle of a smooth manifold $M$ is a smooth manifold $TM$. $TM$ as a set:

$(x,u)\in TM=\cup_{x\in M}$ {x}$\times T_xM$. We define $\pi: TM\mapsto M$ by $\pi(x,u)=x$ (canonical projection). $TM$ as a topological space:

Let $dim M=n$. If $(U,\phi)$ is a chart on $M$. Define:

$(x,u)\in \hat{U}=TU=\pi^{-1}(U)=\cup {x} \times T_x M$, where we define $\hat{\phi}:\hat{U}\to R^n \times R^n$ by $\hat{\phi}(x,u)=(\phi(x), \phi_{*,x})(u)$.

Given a chart $(U,\phi)$ on $M$ near $x$ we define the map: $\phi_{*,x}:T_xM\to R^n$ by $\phi_{*,x}(\gamma)=(\phi\circ\gamma) '(0)$

For 1: an element of $TM$ (the tangent bundle of $M$) is of the form $(x,v)$ where $x\in M$, and same for $TN$: $(y,u)$ where $y\in N$. An element of $TM\times TN$ is: $((x,v),(y,u))$. And of $T(M\times N)$: $((x,y),(v,u))$. Now we define a map $f:TM\times TN\to T(M\times N)$ by

$$f((x,v),(y,u))=((x,y),(v,u)).$$

We want to show that it is a diffeomorphism, i.e it is smooth, a bijection and its inverse is smooth. I see that it is obvious that f is injective and surjective. I am not sure of how to check smoothness on a chart. Can you please explain how it is applied?

Instead (maybe another approach), I know that $T_{(x,y)} (M \times N) \simeq T_xM \times T_yN$ for every $(x,y)\in M\times N$. How could this be useful for showing what I want?

For 2, if I look at the universal cover of $TT^n$ that is $TR^n$ which is diffeomorphic to $R^{2n}$ by the identity map, using the coordinates $(x_i,y_i)$ where $x_i$ span $R^n$ and $y_i$ span the tangent directions. How I can continue from here?

Mat999
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    the point of the exercise is that, being a beginner, you make the effort to be clear about what the exercise ask and, after, try to reach an answer. The exercise is very simple as far as you know what is the smooth structure of a tangent bundle and know what is the canonical product manifold smooth structure, and what is a smooth map between manifolds (each tangent bundle is a manifold itself with a canonical structure). Try it (I dont downvoted you) – Masacroso Feb 24 '22 at 10:48
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    You know how to construct the natural coordinates of product of manifolds, and that the tangent bundle is a manifold, then since the tangent bundle is locally a product then that should give you an idea of how to describe the the tangent bundle of a product and identifiy it with product of tangent bundles – Physor Feb 24 '22 at 13:29
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    For 1, as a warm up, can you prove that for $(p,q)\in M\times N$, that $T_{(p,q)}(M\times N)\cong T_p M\times T_q N$ by coming up with a "natural" isomorphism (as opposed to just noting they are both vector spaces over $\mathbb{R}$ of the same dimension.) For 2, start with $n=1$. – Jason DeVito - on hiatus Feb 24 '22 at 14:08
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    "I am not sure of how to show formally smoothness." Check it on a chart. – Jacob Manaker Feb 27 '22 at 06:37

1 Answers1

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Here are some further details along the lines of the comments above.


For 1., suppose both $M$ and $N$ are $C^r$ manifolds ($r\in\mathbb{Z}_{\geq2}$, because we are asked to provide a diffeomorphism), and put $\dim(M)=m$ and $\dim(N)=n$. Then we have locally

\begin{align*} TM\cong_{\text{loc}} \mathbb{R}^m\times \mathbb{R}^m&\text{ with typical point } (x,\partial_x)=(x_1,x_2,...,x_m,\partial_{x_1},\partial_{x_2},...,\partial_{x_m}), \text{ and }\\ TN\cong_{\text{loc}} \mathbb{R}^n\times \mathbb{R}^n &\text{ with typical point } (y,\partial_y)=(y_1,y_2,...,y_n,\partial_{y_1},\partial_{y_2},...,\partial_{y_n}). \end{align*}

(Since $M$ and $N$ are $C^r$ manifolds, $TM$ and $TN$ are $C^{r-1}$ manifolds, which means that "locally" means "in $C^{r-1}$ charts".)

Thus locally the map you defined $\Phi:TM\times TN\to T(M\times N), ((p,v),(q,w))\mapsto ((p,q),(v,w))$ looks like

$$\Phi_{\text{loc}}: (x,\partial_x,y,\partial_y)\mapsto (x,y,\partial_x,\partial_y).$$

Thus its derivative has the matrix (w/r/t the bases on $T_{((p,v),(q,w))}(TM\times TN)$ and $T_{((p,q),(v,w))} T(M\times N)$ associated to the local coordinates)

$$T_{((p,v),(q,w))}\Phi = \begin{pmatrix} I_{m} & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & I_n & 0 \\ 0 & I_m & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & I_n \end{pmatrix}, $$

where $I_k$ is the $k\times k$ identity matrix. Either by the inverse function theorem (see e.g. Diffeomorphism from Inverse function theorem ), or by applying the same reasoning directly to $\Phi^{-1}$ (whose derivative has the same matrix w/r/t the same choice of bases).

Note that (the tangent bundle of any manifold is orientable as a manifold (see e.g. Why is the tangent bundle orientable? ) and the product of orientable manifolds is orientable (see e.g. Product of manifolds & orientability ), and) $\Phi$ is orientation reversing. In this sense the map $\Psi: ((p,v),(q,w))\mapsto ((p,q),(w,v))$ could be considered more natural.


A more highbrow way of arguing for 1. would be to draw diagrams. First note that $\Phi$ acts as identity at the base level:

enter image description here

Here $\pi_K: TK\to K$ is the natural projection of the manifold $K$. In light of this, wlog one could use the products of local trivializing charts $U,V$ for $\pi_M:TM\to M$, $\pi_N:TN\to N$ respectively as local trivializing charts for $\pi_{M\times N}:T(M\times N)\to M\times N$. Then the following diagram makes the above argument more rigorous:

enter image description here

(As I'm writing this part somewhat in jest I'll leave it here.)


Part 2. boils down to showing that $T\mathbb{T}^1\cong \mathbb{T}^1\times \mathbb{R}^1$ by way of part 1.. It seems to me that any proof of this uses either the group structure of the circle $\mathbb{T}^1$ or that it can be considered as an embedded submanifold in $\mathbb{R}^2$. See e.g. How to know if a tangent bundle is trivial from its defining equations , How do I see that the tangent bundle of torus is trivial , Show that $T\mathbb S^1$ is diffeomorphic to $\mathbb S^1\times\mathbb R$ , $TS^1$ is Diffeomorphic to $S^1\times \mathbf R$. , or Is this map a diffeomorphism? .

As a final note, for any Lie group $G$ with Lie algebra $\text{lie}(G)$, $TG$ has a unique Lie group structure that makes $\pi_G:TG\to G$ a Lie group homomorphism (and coincides with vector addition along fibers) (see e.g. Lie group structure of the tangent bundle ). Further, as Lie groups $TG\cong \text{lie}(G)\rtimes_{\operatorname{Ad}^G} G$, where $\operatorname{Ad}^G_\bullet: G\curvearrowright\text{lie}(G)$ is the adjoint action. In the case of the torus $G=\mathbb{T}^d$, since $\mathbb{T}^d$ is abelian $\operatorname{Ad}^{\mathbb{T}^d}_\bullet$ is the trivial action, so we have that $T\mathbb{T}^d\cong \mathbb{T}^d\times \mathbb{R}^d$ as Lie groups.

Alp Uzman
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  • Related: https://math.stackexchange.com/q/3239246/169085 – Alp Uzman Apr 16 '22 at 18:04
  • Hi @Alp Uzman thank you! In 1 my def of the tangent bundle does not contain derivations that's why I did not much understand why locally the typical points look this. Is my approach can be finished? I am stuck with checking smoothness on a chart – Mat999 Apr 19 '22 at 15:03
  • In 2 (I am trying to understand the things in the link that $TS^1\simeq S^1\times R^1$, but also here it uses derivations) so can part 2 be shown using part 1? I mean how showing this for $n=1$ will contribute to what we want? (Does the last note about lie-groups suggest another kind of proof). – Mat999 Apr 19 '22 at 15:06
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    @Maths1999_ If you could disclose what your definition of the tangent bundle is maybe I can be of help. In any event, by definition the vectors in the tangent bundle ought to be related to the directions of the manifold, in particular if there are coordinates $(x_1,...,x_n)$ locally applicable on the manifold then there should be $n$ associated directions, one along each component, which ought to give coordinates locally applicable on the tangent bundle. – Alp Uzman Apr 19 '22 at 15:37
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    For differentiability the argument I'm proposing above is the standard one: realizing that it has a derivative, which is invertible at any point. – Alp Uzman Apr 19 '22 at 15:38
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    For part 2. $T (\mathbb{T}^d) \cong T(\mathbb{T}\times \mathbb{T}\times \cdots \times \mathbb{T}) \cong (T\mathbb{T})\times(T\mathbb{T})\times \cdots \times (T\mathbb{T}) \cong (\mathbb{T}\times \mathbb{R})\times(\mathbb{T}\times \mathbb{R})\times \cdots \times (\mathbb{T}\times \mathbb{R})\cong \mathbb{T}^d\times \mathbb{R}^d$. – Alp Uzman Apr 19 '22 at 15:41
  • Def: The tangent bundle of a smooth manifold $M$ is a smooth manifold $TM$. $TM$ as a set: $(x,u)\in TM=\cup_{x\in M}$ {x} $\times T_xM$. We define $\pi: TM\mapsto M$ by $\pi(x,u)=x$ (canonical projection). In 2 here $T=S^1$ when you decompose $T^d$?. The second diffemorphism is true by part one right? And the third one is due to $TT^1\simeq T^1\times R^1$? (Do you think there is another proof of this not mensioned in the links since there they use derivations..) – Mat999 Apr 19 '22 at 17:33
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    The definition you gave is not a complete definition of the tangent bundle, formally speaking. $T_xM$ is intimately related to the vicinity of $x$ in $M$. Yes, $\mathbb{T}=\mathbb{T}^1=S^1$ all denote the circle. Yes, yes and yes. For the question in the paren, I think eventually you are going to need to use the fact that tangent vectors are parameterized by partial derivatives, though all that's needed here is to use partial derivatives as coordinates, not differentiate anything using them. – Alp Uzman Apr 19 '22 at 17:42
  • I tried to extend the definition of tangent bundle (in the post), is not there a way that the way I started with can work? Or can one use that $T_{(p,q)}M\times N\simeq T_pM\times T_qN$ to prove the given diffeomorphism? – Mat999 Apr 20 '22 at 07:08
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    @AlpUzman I think your notation is somewhat confusing. $\partial_{x_i}$ may be viewed as a basis vector for the tangent-space but not as the coordinate of a tangent-vector. In the present context you may also avoid using differential operators altogether but that is more a matter of taste. – H. H. Rugh Apr 22 '22 at 09:17
  • @H.H.Rugh That's fair. – Alp Uzman Apr 22 '22 at 15:03
  • It is still hard for me to absorb the proof in a. Why are we looking at this locally. Is the typical point actually defines the diffeo between $TM$ and $R^m\times R^n$.., how we get the needed diffeo in the question, after seeing that the matrix is invertible (Can you please explain shortly how you calculated it)? – Mat999 May 02 '22 at 14:12
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    @Maths1999_ You had already defined the bijection; the reason why it is a diffeomorphism is that it has a derivative at any point and similarly its inverse has a derivative at any point. Derivatives are local objects, so the derivative at a point has something to do only with the vicinity of that point, where the vicinity can be taken small enough. – Alp Uzman May 02 '22 at 16:32
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    As to how to compute the derivative, consider the simpler case: $(x,v,y,w)\mapsto (x,y,v,w)$, from an open subset of $\mathbb{R}^4$ to another open subset. Can you compute the derivative of this map? You would look at that $4\times 4$ matrix each of whose rows lists the partial derivatives of one component function. – Alp Uzman May 02 '22 at 16:36