Cartesian factorization

(in topology)

A factorization of a space into a topological product. An important problem on non-trivial Cartesian factorizations concerns the cubes $I^n$ and the Euclidean spaces $\mathbf R^n$. For instance, if a space $M$ is obtained from $\mathbf R^m$, $3\leq m<n$, by identifying the points of an arc $l\subset\mathbf R^m$ for which $\pi_1(\mathbf R^m\setminus l)\neq1$ (cf. Wild imbedding), then $M\times\mathbf R=\mathbf R^{m+1}$ and $M\times M=\mathbf R^{2m}$. Any smooth compact contractible manifold $M^m$ is a factor of an $I^n$, $n>m$. Any factor of $I^n$, $n<4$, is an $I^m$, $m<n$.

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Another famous example is Bing's "Dog Bone" decomposition of $3$-dimensional Euclidean space, its product with a line is homeomorphic to $4$-dimensional Euclidean space.

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