Definition:Path (Topology)

Definition
Let $T = \struct {S, \tau}$ be a topological space.

Let $I \subset \R$ be the closed real interval $\closedint a b$.

A path in $T$ is a continuous mapping $\gamma: I \to S$.

The mapping $\gamma$ can be referred as:
 * a path (in $T$) joining $\map \gamma a$ and $\map \gamma b$

or:
 * a path (in $T$) from $\map \gamma a$ to $\map \gamma b$.

It is common to refer to a point $z = \map \gamma t$ as a point on the path $\gamma$, even though $z$ is in fact on the image of $\gamma$.

Also defined as
The definition as given here is usually used in this form in complex analysis, where the details of the mapping itself tend to be important.

However, in topology it is often the case that all that is needed is merely to demonstrate the existence of such a mapping.

Thus it is usual in topology to specify $I \subset \R$ to be the closed unit interval $\closedint 0 1$, and to focus attention on the image of $I$.

From Closed Real Intervals are Homeomorphic the two definitions are seen to be equivalent.

Also see

 * Definition:Loop (Topology)
 * Definition:Contour