Definition:Homeomorphism

Topological Spaces
Let $T$ and $T'$ be topological spaces.

Let $f: T \to T'$ be a bijection such that both $f$ and $f^{-1}$ are continuous.

Then $f$ is a homeomorphism. We can say that $T$ and $T'$ are homeomorphic.

The symbol $T \sim T'$ is often seen.

Metric Spaces
Let $M$ and $M'$ be metric spaces.

Let $f: M \to M'$ be a bijection such that both $f$ and $f^{-1}$ are continuous.

Then $f$ is a homeomorphism.

This definition also follows directly from:
 * The fact that a metric space induces a topology;
 * Equivalence of Metric Space Continuity Definitions.

Manifolds
A homeomorphism of a manifold $X$ to a manifold $Y$ is a continuous bijection such that the inverse is also continuous.

Equivalent Definitions

 * By definition of continuity, a homeomorphism is a bijection $f: T \to T'$ such that $U$ is open in $T$ iff $f \left({U}\right)$ is open in $T'$.


 * By Bijection is Open iff Inverse is Continuous a homeomorphism is a bijection which is both open and continuous.


 * By Bijection is Open iff Closed it follows that a homeomorphism is a bijection which is both closed and continuous.

Also known as
Also known as:
 * a topological equivalence, usually used when the spaces in question are metric spaces
 * an isomorphism.

Caution
Not to be confused with homomorphism.

Also see

 * Inverse of Homeomorphism is Homeomorphism