Is a finite group of homeomorphisms with no fixed points able to act properly discontinuously on a Hausdorff space?

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    2017
In summary, a finite group of homeomorphisms is a set of continuous functions with continuous inverses that can be composed and have an identity element. It is finite, meaning it has a finite number of elements. A group with no fixed points means that none of the homeomorphisms in the group have any fixed points. A Hausdorff space is a topological space where any two distinct points can be separated by disjoint open sets. It is possible for a finite group of homeomorphisms with no fixed points to act properly discontinuously on a Hausdorff space. Examples of such groups include rotations in 3-dimensional space and reflections in 2-dimensional space.
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Euge
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Suppose $\Gamma$ is a finite group of homeomorphisms of a Hausdorff space $M$ such that every non-identity element of $\Gamma$ is fixed point free. Show that $\Gamma$ acts on $M$ properly discontinuously.

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No one solved this week's problem. You can read my solution below.
Fix $p\in M$. For each $g\in \Gamma\setminus\{1\}$, $p \neq gp$. Since $M$ is Hausdorff, for every $g\in \Gamma\setminus\{1\}$, there are disjoint open sets $U_g \ni p$ and $V_g \ni gp$. Set $$W = \bigcap_{g\in \Gamma\setminus\{1\}} (U_g \cap g^{-1}(V_g))$$ Since each of the sets $U_g \cap g^{-1}(V_g)$ is an open neighborhood of $p$ and $\Gamma\setminus\{1\}$ is finite, then $W$ is open neighborhood of $p$. Given $g\neq 1$, $gW\cap W = \emptyset$. Indeed, if $gW\cap W \neq \emptyset$, then there are $w,w'\in W$ for which $gw = w'$. As $w'\in U_g$ and $w\in g^{-1}(V_g)$, we have $w' = gw \in U_g \cap V_g$, a contradiction. Consequently, $\Gamma$ acts on $M$ properly discontinuously.
 

FAQ: Is a finite group of homeomorphisms with no fixed points able to act properly discontinuously on a Hausdorff space?

What is a finite group of homeomorphisms?

A finite group of homeomorphisms is a set of homeomorphisms (continuous functions with continuous inverses) that form a group, meaning they can be composed and have an identity element. This set is finite, meaning it has a finite number of elements.

What does it mean for a group of homeomorphisms to have no fixed points?

A fixed point of a homeomorphism is a point that does not change when the function is applied to it. A finite group of homeomorphisms with no fixed points means that none of the homeomorphisms in the group have any fixed points.

What is a Hausdorff space?

A Hausdorff space is a topological space in which any two distinct points can be separated by disjoint open sets. This means that for any two points in the space, there are two open sets that contain one point each and do not intersect.

Can a finite group of homeomorphisms with no fixed points act properly discontinuously on a Hausdorff space?

Yes, it is possible for a finite group of homeomorphisms with no fixed points to act properly discontinuously on a Hausdorff space. This means that the group's action on the space is both proper (the pre-image of a compact set is compact) and discontinuous (the stabilizer of any point is finite).

What are some examples of finite groups of homeomorphisms with no fixed points?

One example is the group of rotations in 3-dimensional space, which includes all rotations about a fixed point. Another example is the group of reflections in 2-dimensional space, which includes all reflections about a line. These groups have no fixed points because they rotate or reflect points around a fixed point or line, rather than keeping any points fixed.

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