Pointed set
From Encyclopedia of Mathematics
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2020 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 03E [MSN][ZBL]
A non-empty set having a distinguished point or "base point". Maps of pointed sets are maps of the underlying sets that preserve the base point. As universal algebras, they are sets equipped with a single nullary operation.
The category of pointed sets and base-point preserving maps has an initial and terminal object (cf. Null object of a category) consisting of a one-element set.
For topological spaces with a distinguished point, see Pointed space. For the categorical construction generalising the relationship between sets and pointed sets, see Pointed object.
References
- S. MacLane, "Categories for the working mathematician" Graduate Texts in Mathematics 5, Springer (1971) ISBN 0-387-98403-8
How to Cite This Entry:
Pointed set. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Pointed_set&oldid=39756
Pointed set. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Pointed_set&oldid=39756