# Show that degree of constant map is zero

Let $f \colon S^n \to S^n$ be a constant map, $n > 0$. I want to show that $\deg f = 0$. I will do it by definition. Let $\sum_k g_k \sigma^n_k$ be a singular chain, $g_k \in \mathbb{Z}$, $\sigma^n_k \colon \Delta^n \to S^n$, where $\Delta^n$ is a standard $n$-simplex. Then the induced map $f_n \colon C_n(S^n) \to C_n(S^n)$ acts by the rule $$f_n \left( \sum_k g_k \sigma^n_k \right) = \left( \sum_k g_k \right) \sigma^n_0,$$ where $\sigma^n_0 = f \colon \Delta^n \to pt$. Let's notice that $\partial \sigma^n_0 = 0$ if $n$ is odd and $\partial \sigma^n_0 = \sigma^{n-1}_0$ if $n$ is even. Hence if $n$ is even the image of cycles group under the action of $f_n$ is trivial and hence the induced homomorphism $f_n \colon H_n(S^n) \to H_n(S^n)$ in homology groups is trivial. But how to show that if $n$ is odd then the induced homomorphism $f_n$ in homology groups will also be trivial?

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I think that if $n$ is odd then $\partial\sigma^{n+1}_0=\sigma^n_0$, so $\sigma^n_0$ is a boundary. So it is the other way round. –  Stefan Hamcke Apr 2 '13 at 21:16
@StefanH. but there are no $(n+1)$-dimensional nontrivial chains, so all $n$-dimensional boundaries are all trivial, isn't it true? Ah, I speak about simplicial chains, not singular. Singular chains may be nontrivial for larger dimensions than $n$, right? Thank you! –  Nimza Apr 2 '13 at 21:19
Dont't you want to show that $\sigma_0^n$ is a boundary? Then it is trivial in the homology group. –  Stefan Hamcke Apr 2 '13 at 21:22
@StefanH. It is clear that $\sigma^n_0$ is a boundary of $\sigma^{n+1}_0$ because $\partial \sigma^{n+1}_0$ is a sum of $n+1$ copies of $\sigma^n_0$ with alternating signs starting from $+$. The problem arised because I thought about simplicial chains when I was thiking about $n$-dimensional boundaries. Now I solved it. –  Nimza Apr 2 '13 at 21:23
You can see this very easily by factoring $f$ through the inclusion $S^n - \{ x \} \hookrightarrow S^n$, where $x$ is any point not in the image of $f$: the homomorphism $f_*$ factors through $H_n(S^n - \{x\})$ but $S^n - \{x\}$ is contractible. –  Adeel Apr 3 '13 at 4:51