Appl. Math. Inf. Sci. 8, No.

5, 2337-2345 (2014) 2337

Applied Mathematics & Information Sciences
An International Journal

http://dx.doi.org/10.12785/amis/080529

Relative Homology Groups of Digital Images

Ozgur Ege1,∗ , Ismet Karaca2 and Meltem Erden Ege2
1 Department of Mathematics, Celal Bayar University, 45140 Muradiye, Manisa, Turkey
2 Department of Mathematics, Ege University, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey

Received: 1 Sep. 2013, Revised: 29 Nov. 2013, Accepted: 30 Nov. 2013

Published online: 1 Sep. 2014

Abstract: In this paper we are interested in relative homology groups of digital images. Some properties of the Euler characteristics for
digital images are given. We also present reduced homology groups for digital images. The main purpose is to obtain some differences
between notions in digital topology and algebraic topology.

Keywords: Digital image, digital relative homology group, euler characteristics

1 Introduction Arslan et al. [1] introduce the simplicial homology

groups of n-dimensional digital images. Moreover, they
compute simplicial homology groups of MSS18 .
The fundamental group is a very valuable tool but it has
Diaz-Pernil et.al. [8] present a new solution for the
an important deficiency. It is not enough to solve
homology groups of binary 2D image problem which is
problems such as showing that S3 and S4 are not
classical problem in homology theory which tries to
homeomorphic. Using the homology group of a simplicial
calculate the number of connected components and the
complex, this difficulty could be overcome. Homology
representative curves of the holes of these components
groups offer a different approach to hole counting. For
from a given binary 2D image, by using membrane
instance, with this approach, the n-sphere has one
computing techniques.
n-dimensional hole and no m-dimensional holes for
m 6= n. Boxer, Karaca and Oztel [7] expand knowledge of the
The homology theory is the main field of algebraic simplicial homology groups of digital images. They study
topology. It plays a significant role in the classification the simplicial homology groups of certain minimal simple
problems of topological spaces. There are various closed surfaces. They also extend an earlier definition of
approaches to the study of this theory. One of these is the the Euler characteristics of digital image and compute the
simplicial homology. Homology groups are invariants Euler characteristics of several digital surfaces.
from algebraic topology which are frequently used in Karaca and Ege [11] give some results related to the
digital image analysis and structural pattern recognition. simplicial homology groups of 2D digital images. They
They are related to the different n-dimensional holes, show that if a bounded digital image X ⊂ Z is nonempty
connected components, tunnels, cavities, etc., of a and κ -connected, then its homology groups at the first
geometric object. dimension are a trivial group. In [11], it’s proved that the
In 1927, Lefschetz defined the relative homology homology groups of the operands of a wedge of digital
groups. They are important and useful for a number of images need not be additive.
reasons, principally for computational ones, since they fit Ege and Karaca [9] study the properties of the
into long exact sequences, which are powerful simplicial homology groups of digital images and
computational tools in homology. Moreover they help investigate Eilenberg-Steenrod axioms for the simplicial
determine what part of an absolute homology group homology groups of digital images.
comes from which subspace. The relative homology is This article is organized as follows. In Section 2, we
defined to compute the holes modulo some region of give the general notions of digital images with κ -
space in some applications. adjacency relations, digital homotopy groups and digital
∗ Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]
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2338 O. Ege et. al. : Relative Homology Groups of Digital Images

homology groups. In the next section we introduce the is (κ0 , κ1 )-continuous and bijective and also f −1 : Y −→ X
relative homology groups for digital images, give sample is (κ1 , κ0 )-continuous. For a digital image (X, κ ) and its
calculations and provide some important properties. In subset (A, κ ), we call (X, A) a digital image pair with κ -
the section 4, we deal with properties of the Euler adjacency.
characteristics. In the last section we make some Definition 2.2. [3]. Let X ∈ Zn0 and Y ∈ Zn1 be digital
conclusions. images with κ0 -adjacency and κ1 -adjacency respectively.
For two (κ0 , κ1 )-continuous functions f , g : X −→ Y , if
there is a positive integer m and a function
2 Preliminaries H : X × [0, m]Z −→ Y such that

A pair (X, κ ) is called a digital image, where Z is the set • for all x ∈ X, H(x, 0) = f (x) and H(x, m) = g(x);
of integers, X ⊂ Zn for some positive integer n and κ
represents certain adjacency relation for the members of • for all x ∈ X, the induced function Hx : [0, m]Z −→ Y
X. We give an adjacency relation which is used in the defined by
study of digital images. Let l, n be positive integers such
that 1 ≤ l ≤ n and two distinct points Hx (t) = H(x,t) for all t ∈ [0, m]Z ,
p = (p1 , p2 , . . . , pn ), q = (q1 , q2 , . . . , qn ) is (2, κ1 )-continuous; and
in Zn . If there are at most l distinct coordinates j for
• for all t ∈ [0, m]Z , the induced function Ht : X −→ Y
which |p j − q j | = 1 and for all other coordinates j,
defined by
p j = q j then we say that p and q are kl -adjacent [5]. The
number of points q ∈ Zn that are adjacent to a given point
Ht (x) = H(x,t) for all x ∈ X,
p ∈ Zn are represented by a kl -adjacency relation. In Z,
k1 -adjacent points are called 2-adjacent; in Z2 , is (κ0 , κ1 )-continuous, they are said to be digitally
k1 -adjacent points and k2 -adjacent points are called (κ0 , κ1 )-homotopic in Y and this is denoted by
4-adjacent and 8-adjacent; finally in Z3 , k1 , k2 and f ≃(κ0 ,κ1 ) g. The function H is called a digital
k3 -adjacent points are called 6-adjacent, 18-adjacent and
(κ0 , κ1 )-homotopy between f and g. The digital
26-adjacent, respectively.
homotopy relation is equivalence relation among digitally
Let κ be an adjacency relation defined on Zn . A
continuous functions (see [3]).
κ -neighbor of p ∈ Zn is a point of Zn that is κ -adjacent to
p. A digital image X ⊂ Zn is κ -connected [10] if and only Let f : X −→ Y and g : Y −→ X be (κ0 , κ1 ) and (κ1 , κ0 )
if for every pair of different points x, y ∈ X, there is a set continuous functions respectively such that
{x0 , x1 , . . . , xr } of points of a digital image X such that
f ◦ g ≃(κ1 ,κ1 ) 1Y and g ◦ f ≃(κ0 ,κ0 ) 1X
x = x0 , y = xr and xi and xi+1 are κ -neighbors where
i = 0, 1, . . . , r − 1. A κ -component of a digital image X is
a maximal κ -connected subset of X. A set of the form We say that X and Y have the same (κ0 , κ1 )-homotopy type
[a, b]Z = {z ∈ Z|a ≤ z ≤ b} is a digital interval [2], where and that X and Y are (κ0 , κ1 )-homotopy equivalent [3].
a, b ∈ Z with a < b. Definition 2.3. [3]. (i) A digital image (X, κ ) is said to be
Let (X, κ0 ) ⊂ Zn0 and (Y, κ1 ) ⊂ Zn1 be digital images. κ -contractible if its identity map is (κ , κ )-homotopic to a
A function f : X −→ Y is (κ0 , κ1 )-continuous [3], if for constant function c̄ for some c ∈ X where the constant
every κ0 -connected subset U of X, f (U) is a function c̄ : X −→ X is defined by c̄(x) = c for all x ∈ X.
κ1 -connected subset of Y . In [3], it is shown that a
function f : X −→ Y is (κ0 , κ1 )-continuous if and only if (ii) Let (X, A) be a digital image pair with
for every κ0 -adjacent points {x0 , x1 } of X, either κ -adjacency and i : A −→ X be the inclusion function. A
f (x0 ) = f (x1 ) or f (x0 ) and f (x1 ) are a κ1 -adjacent in Y . is called a κ -retract of X if and only if there is a
In a digital image (X, κ ), a (2, κ )-continuous function κ -continuous function r : X −→ A such that r(a) = a for
f : [0, m]Z −→ X such that f (0) = x and f (m) = y is called all a ∈ A. Then the function r is called a κ -retraction of X
a digital κ -path [6] from x to y. If f (0) = f (m) then f is onto A.
a digital κ -loop and the point f (0) is the base point of the
loop f . (iii) A digital homotopy H : X × [0, m]Z −→ X is a
Definition 2.1. [4]. A simple closed κ -curve of m ≥ 4 deformation κ -retract if the induced map H(−, 0) is the
points in a digital image X is a sequence identity map 1X and the induced map H(−, m) is
{ f (0), f (1), . . . , f (m − 1)} of images of the κ -path retraction of X onto H(X × {m}) ⊂ X. The set
f : [0, m − 1]Z −→ X such that f (i) and f ( j) are H(X × {m}) is called a deformation κ -retract of X.
κ -adjacent if and only if j = i ± mod m. Definition 2.4. [12]. Let (X, κ ) be a digital image and S
Let (X, κ0 ) ⊂ Zn0 and (Y, κ1 ) ⊂ Zn1 be digital images. be a set of nonempty subset X. Assume that the following
A function f : X −→ Y is a (κ0 , κ1 )-isomorphism [6] if f hold:

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a) If p and q are distinct points of s ∈ S, then p and q Theorem 2.8. [7]. For each q ≥ 0, Hqκ is a covariant
are κ -adjacent. functor from the category of digital simplicial complexes
b) If s ∈ S and 0/ 6= t ⊂ s, then t ∈ S. and simplicial maps to the category of abelian groups.
Corollary 2.9. [1]. If f : (X, κ1 ) −→ (Y, κ2 ) is a digitally
Then the members of S are called simplexes of (X, κ ). (κ1 , κ2 )-isomorphism, then f∗ : Hqκ1 (X) −→ Hqκ2 (Y ) is a
An m-simplex is a simplex S such that |S| = m + 1. group isomorphism.
′
Let P be a digital m-simplex. If P is a nonempty
′
proper subset of P, then P is called a face of P. Vert(P) is
used to denote the vertex set of P. A digital subcomplex A 3 Digital relative homology groups
of a digital simplicial complex X with κ -adjacency is a
digital simplicial complex [12] contained in X with Let (A, κ ) be a digital subcomplex of the digital simplicial
Vert(A) ⊂ Vert(X). complex (X, κ ). Then the chain group Cqκ (A) is a subgroup
Let (X, κ ) be a finite collection of digital m-simplices, of the chain group Cqκ (X). The quotient group
0 ≤ m ≤ d for some non-negative integer d. If the
following statements hold then (X, κ ) is called a finite Cqκ (X, A) = Cqκ (X)/Cqκ (A)
digital simplicial complex [1]:
• If P belongs to X, then every face of P also belongs is called the group of relative chains of X modulo A. The
to X. boundary operator
• If P, Q ∈ X, then P ∩ Q is either empty or a common
face of P and Q. ∂q : Cqκ (A) −→ Cq−1
κ
(A)
The dimension of a digital simplicial complex X is the
largest integer m such that X has an m-simplex. Cqκ (X) is a is the restriction of the boundary operator on Cqκ (X). It
free abelian group [1] with basis all digital (κ , q)-simplices induces a homomorphism
in X.
Cqκ (X, A) −→ Cq−1
κ
(X, A)
Let (X, κ ) ⊂ Zn be a digital simplicial complex of
dimension m. Boxer et.al. show that (see [7]) for all of the relative chain groups and this is also denoted by ∂q .
q > m, Cqκ (X) is a trivial group. The homomorphism
Definition 3.1. [9]. Let (A, κ ) be a digital subcomplex of
∂q : Cqκ (X) −→ Cq−1
κ (X) defined (see [1]) by
the digital simplicial complex (X, κ ).
 q • Zqκ (X, A) = Ker ∂q is called the group of digital
∂q (u) = ∑i=0 (−1)i < p0 , p1 , . . . , p̂i , . . . , pq >, q ≤ m relative simplicial q-cycles.
0, q>m • Bκq (X, A) = Im ∂q+1 is called the group of digital
relative simplicial q-boundaries.
is called a boundary homomorphism, where p̂i means • Hqκ (X, A) = Zqκ (X, A)/Bκq (X, A) is called the qth
delete the point pi and u =< p0 , p1 , . . . , pq >. In [1], digital relative simplicial homology group.
Havana et.al. show that for all 1 ≤ q ≤ m,
Example 3.2. Let X = [0, 1]Z be the digital interval and A
∂q−1 ◦ ∂q = 0. be a single point digital image {0}. Let’s determine
Hq2 (X, A) for all q ≥ 0. For q = 0,
Definition 2.5. [1]. Let (X, κ ) be a digital simplicial
= Z and C02 (X, A) ∼
= Z ⊕ Z, C02 (A) ∼
C02 (X) ∼ = Z.
complex.
(1) Zqκ (X) = Ker ∂q is called the group of digital For q = 1,
simplicial q-cycles.
(2) Bκq (X) = Im ∂q+1 is called the group of digital C12 (X) ∼
= Z, C12 (A) ∼
= 0 and C12 (X, A) ∼
= Z.
simplicial q-boundaries.
(3) Hqκ (X) = Zqκ (X)/Bκq (X) is called the qth digital Since there are no digital (2, q)-simplexes of dimension 2
simplicial homology group. or higher, then
Theorem 2.6. [7]. Let (X, κ ) be a directed digital Cq2 (X, A) = 0
simplicial complex of dimension m. and accordingly Hq2 (X, A) = 0 for all q ≥ 2.
• Hqκ (X) is a finitely generated abelian group for every
q ≥ 0. Now consider the following short sequence:
• Hqκ (X) is a trivial group for all q > m.
• Hmκ (X) is a free abelian group, possible zero. ∂ ∂ ∂
0 →2 C12 (X, A) →1 C02 (X, A) →0 0.
Theorem 2.7. [1]. If (X, κ ) is a single point digital image,
then  There are obvious results such that
κ Z, q = 0,
Hq = Im ∂2 = 0 and Ker ∂0 ∼
= Z.
0, q 6= 0.

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2340 O. Ege et. al. : Relative Homology Groups of Digital Images

The elements of C12 (X, A) are of the form Proof. Consider the following long exact sequence:

z = g.[0, 1]Z +C12 (A), g ∈ Z. ∂ ∂ ∂

. . . →2 C1κ (X, A) →1 C0κ (X, A) →0 0.
Since
∂1 (z) = ∂1 (g.[0, 1]Z +C12 (A)) It’s clear that Ker ∂0 = C0κ (X, A). The elements of C1κ (X, A)
are of the form
= g.[1]Z − g.[0]Z
= g.[1]Z +C02 (A), z = g. ∑ < u j u j+1 > +C1κ (A), g ∈ Z
j
we get Im ∂1 ∼
= Z. As a result, we have H02 (X, A) = 0.
where u j is an arbitrary point of X, < u j u j+1 > is a digital
By the First Isomorphism Theorem, 1-simplex in X and

Z/Ker ∂1 ∼
= Im ∂1 ∼
= Z ⇒ Ker ∂1 = 0. C1κ (A) = {α < u j >: α ∈ Z, j ∈ J}.

Consequently, H12 (X, A) = 0. Thus we have Hq2 (X, A) = 0 Since

for all q ≥ 0.
∂1 (z) = ∂1 (g. ∑ < u j u j+1 > +C1κ (A))
Ege and Karaca [9] show that the long sequence j

= g. ∑ < u j > +C0κ (A),

∂
. . . → Hqκ (A) → Hqκ (X) → Hqκ (X, A) →∗ Hq−1
κ
∗ i p∗
(A) → . . . j

is exact, where i : A −→ X and p : X −→ (X, A) are Im ∂1 = C0κ (X, A). Therefore, we have H0κ (X, A) = 0.
inclusion maps. This is called exactness axiom. Proposition 3.6. If A = {x0 } is a single point digital image,
We now give some significant results about the relative Hqκ (X, A) ∼
= Hqκ (X) for q > 0.
simplicial homology groups of digital images.
Proof. From Theorem 2.7, we know that Hqκ (A) = 0 for
Proposition 3.3. Let (X, κ ) be a digital image and A ⊂ X. q > 0. By the long sequence
If A is empty set,
∂
Hqκ (X, A) ∼
= Hqκ (X) . . . → Hqκ (A) → Hqκ (X) → Hqκ (X, A) →∗ Hq−1
κ
(A) → . . . ,

for all q ≥ 0. for all q > 0, we have a short sequence

Proof. Since A is empty, for all q ≥ 0 we have Hqκ (A) = 0.
0 → Hqκ (X) → Hqκ (X, A) → 0.
p∗
By the long sequence
∂ So p∗ is an isomorphism and we get
. . . → Hqκ (A) → Hqκ (X) → Hqκ (X, A) →∗ Hq−1
κ
∗ i p∗
(A) → . . . ,
Hqκ (X) ∼
= Hqκ (X, A).
for all q ≥ 0, we have a short sequence

0 → Hqκ (X) → Hqκ (X, A) → 0.
p∗
Proposition 3.7. For any digital image (X, κ ),
As a result, p∗ is an isomorphism and so
Hqκ (X, X) = 0,
Hqκ (X) ∼
= Hqκ (X, A).
for all q ≥ 0.
 Proof. Consider the exact digital homology sequence for
S
Proposition 3.4. If X = X j is a union of κ -connected (X, X). It’s clear that the inclusion map
j
i : (X, κ ) −→ (X, κ ) which is identity, induces identity
components, then
homomorphism i∗ : Hqκ (X) −→ Hqκ (X) for all q ≥ 0. For
M this reason, we get the required result.
Hqκ (X, A) ∼
= Hqκ (X j , A j ),
j Proposition 3.8. If A ⊂ X is a deformation κ -retract, then
Hqκ (X, A) = 0 for all q ≥ 0.
where A j = A ∩ X j . Proof. Let A be a deformation κ -retract of X. Then the
Proof. The proof is the same as in Algebraic Topology. inclusion map i : A −→ X is a (κ , κ )-homotopy
Theorem 3.5. If X is κ -connected and A is nonempty κ - equivalence and the retract r : X −→ A is its
connected digital image, then (κ , κ )-homotopy inverse, i.e.,

H0κ (X, A) = 0. i ◦ r ≃(κ ,κ ) 1X and r ◦ i ≃(κ ,κ ) 1A .

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Therefore i∗ : Hqκ (A) −→ Hqκ (X) is an (κ , κ )-isomorphism ∂∗ is the trivial map because Ker i∗ = 0. Thus j∗ is an
for all q ≥ 0. From the following long exact sequence κ (A), we have
epimorphism. Since Ker j∗ = Im i∗ = Hq−1
∂ κ κ κ
. . . → Hqκ (A) → Hqκ (X) → Hqκ (X, A) →∗ Hq−1
κ
i
∗ j∗
(A) → . . . , Hq−1 (X)/Ker j∗ = Hq−1 (X)/Hq−1 (A)
∼ κ
= H (X, A)
j∗ : Hqκ (X) −→ Hqκ (X, A) must be a zero map. By q−1

exactness, ∼
= Im j∗

Hqκ (X, A) = Ker ∂∗ = Im j∗ = 0. by the First Isomorphism Theorem. As a result, j∗ induces

a (κ , κ )-isomorphism.
 Example 3.11. Let
Example 3.9. Let
′
MSC8 = {(1, 0), (0, 1), (−1, 0), (0, −1)} ⊂ Z2
X = {p0 = (0, 0), p1 = (1, 0), p2 = (1, 1)} ⊂ Z2

be a digital image with 8-adjacency. Boxer et.al. [7] show and

that 
Z, q = 0, MSC4 = {(1, 0), (1, 1), (0, 1), (−1, 1), (−1, 0), (−1, −1),
8
Hq (X) =
0, q 6= 0.
(0, −1), (1, −1)} ⊂ Z2
Let A = {p0 } be a single point digital image. By Theorem
2.7, we have  be digital images with 8-adjacency (see Figure 1).
8 Z, q = 0,
Hq (A) =
0, q 6= 0.
Define a map H : X × [0, 2]Z −→ X by the following.

 H(x, 0) = x, t =0
H(p0 , 1) = H(p2 , 1) = p0 , H(p1 , 1) = p1 , t = 1
 H(p , 2) = H(p , 2) = p , t =2
0 1 0

where x ∈ X and t ∈ [0, 2]Z . It’s clear that this map is a 8- ′

deformation retract of X to A. For q ≥ 2, it’s obvious that Fig. 1: MSC4 and MSC8

Hq8 (X, A) = 0.
′ ′
So we have the following short sequence: MSC8 is digital 8-retract of MSC4 . Since MSC8 and MSC4
are digital simple closed 8-curve,
i j k
0 → H18 (X, A) → Z → Z → H08 (X, A) → 0. 
8 8 ′ Z, q = 0, 1
Hq (MSC4 ) = Hq (MSC8 ) =
By Theorem 3.5, we get H08 (X, A) = 0. From the First 0, q 6= 0, 1
Isomorphism Theorem and the fact that Ker j = Im i = 0,
(see [1]). Consider the following long exact homology
H18 (X, A)/Ker j∼ = Ker k ∼
= Im j ∼ = 0 ⇒ H18 (X, A) = 0. sequence:
′ ′
As a result, we have Hq8 (X, A) = 0 for all q ≥ 0. · · · → H28 (MSC8 ) → H28 (MSC4 ) → H28 (MSC4 , MSC8 )
Theorem 3.10. Let (X, A) be a digital image pair with κ -
adjacency such that (A, κ ) is a κ -retract of (X, κ ). Then ∂ ∗ ′ i j∗ ′
→ H18 (MSC8 ) → H18 (MSC4 ) → H18 (MSC4 , MSC8 )
Hqκ (X) ∼
= Hqκ (A) ⊕ Hqκ (X, A). ∂ ∗ ′ i j∗ ′
→ H08 (MSC8 ) → H08 (MSC4 ) → H08 (MSC4 , MSC8 ) → 0
Proof. Since (A, κ ) is a κ -retract of (X, κ ), r ◦ i = 1(A,κ ) So we get
where i : (A, κ ) −→ (X, κ ) and j : (X, 0)
/ −→ (X, A) are
∂
inclusion maps and r : (X, κ ) −→ (A, κ ) is a κ -retraction j∗ j∗
∗ i ∗ ′ i
0→Z→ Z → H18 (MSC4 , MSC8 ) → Z → Z→0
map. So r∗ ◦ i∗ = 1Hqκ (A) and i∗ is a monomorphism.
′
Consider the exactness of the homology sequence of By this exact sequence we have H18 (MSC4 , MSC8 ) = 0. As
(X, A) a result, for all q ≥ 0
∂ ∂
. . . → Hqκ (X, A) →∗ Hq−1
κ κ κ
i j∗ ′ ′
∗
(A) → Hq−1 (X) → Hq−1 (X, A) →∗ . . . Hq8 (MSC4 ) ∼
= Hq8 (MSC8 ) ⊕ Hq8 (MSC4 , MSC8 ).

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We now calculate the relative homology groups of • Using the exact sequence, we get
′
(MSS6 , A) where ′
H04 (MSS6 , A)/Ker δ1 ∼
= Im δ1 = Ker k∗ = 0
′
A = {c0 , c1 , c2 , c3 } ⊂ MSS6 ′
⇒ H04 (MSS6 , A) = Ker δ1 = Im j∗ .
has 6-adjacency.
′ Similarly, since Ker j∗ = Im i∗ = Z5 we have
Example 3.12. Let MSS6 = {c0 = (0, 0, 0), c1 =
(1, 0, 0), c2 = (1, 1, 0), c3 = (0, 1, 0), c4 = (0, 0, 1), c5 = Z5 /Ker j∗ ∼
= Im j∗ ⇒ Im j∗ = 0
(1, 0, 1), c6 = (1, 1, 1), c7 = (0, 1, 1)} (see Figure 2).
′
and consequently H14 (MSS6 , A) = 0.
′
As a result, for all q ≥ 0, we have Hq4 (MSS6 , A) = 0.

We define a digital version of the real projective line

RP1 via quotient map from MSC4 with antipodal points.
Denote the digital projective plane by ZP1 . Let

MSC4 = {c0 = (−1, −1), c1 = (0, −1), c2 = (1, −1),

c3 = (1, 0), c4 = (1, 1), c5 = (0, 1), c6 = (−1, 1),

c7 = (−1, 0)}.
Fig. 2: MSS6
′
If we take the quotient map q : MSC4 −→ MSC4 /x∼−x
where −x is the antipodal point of x ∈ MSC4 , then we
have the digital projective line ZP1 (see Figure 3).
Its homology groups are [7]

 Z, q = 0
′
Hq6 (MSS6 ) = Z5 , q = 1
 0, q 6= 0, 1.

Since A is digital simple closed 4-curve, we have


4 Z, q = 0, 1
Hq (A) =
0, q 6= 0, 1

(see [1]). Consider the following long exact homology

sequence: Fig. 3: MSC4 and the Digital Projective Line ZP1

4 ′ ∗ δ i ′
· · · → Hq+1 (MSS6 , A) → Hq4 (A) → Hq6 (MSS6 )
j∗ ′
Define a map H : ZP1 × [0, 2]Z −→ ZP1 by the following.
→ Hq4 (MSS6 , A) → . . . 
 H(c, 0) = c, t =0
Then we have
H(c7 , 1) = c0 , H(c2 , 1) = c1 , t = 1
p∗ ′ ∗ δ i ∗ j∗ ′ δ k
 H(c , 2) = c , t =2
0 → H24 (MSS6 , A) →2 Z → Z5 → H14 (MSS6 , A) →1 Z → Z 1 0

∗l ′ δ where c ∈ ZP1 . It’s clear that this map is a 8-deformation

→ H04 (MSS6 , A) →0 0. retract of ZP1 . So ZP1 is 8-contractible image. As a
By this exact sequence we have some conclusions: result, ZP1 has the same digital homology groups as a
′
• H24 (MSS6 , A) = 0 because Im p∗ = 0 = Ker δ2 and from single point image.
the First Isomorphism Theorem, we get We want to calculate the relative homology groups of
(MSC4 , ZP1 ) where ZP1 ⊂ MSC4 is the digital projective
′
H24 (MSS6 , A)/Ker δ2 ∼
= Im δ2 = Ker i∗ = 0. line.
′ Example 3.13. Digital homology groups of ZP1 are
• Since Ker δ0 = H04 (MSS6 , A) = Im l∗ , Im k∗ = Ker l∗ = Z 
we have 4 1 Z, q = 0
′
H04 (MSS6 , A) = 0. Hq (ZP ) =
0, q 6= 0.

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Appl. Math. Inf. Sci. 8, No. 5, 2337-2345 (2014) / www.naturalspublishing.com/Journals.asp 2343

Consider the following long exact homology sequence: Proof. Since the sequence
ε
∗
· · · → Hq4 (ZP1 ) →
i j∗
Hq4 (MSC4 ) → Hq4 (MSC4 , ZP1 ) 0 → Ker ε → C0κ (X) → Z → 0

δ is exact,
4
→ Hq−1 (ZP1 ) → . . .
Ker ε Cκ (X) ε
Then we have 0→ → 0 →Z→0
Im ∂1 Im ∂1
i p ∂ i
2
0→ Z →2 H14 (MSC4 , ZP1 ) →1 Z →
1
Z is also exact. It follows from Z is free that the above
sequence splits and we find that
p ∂
→1 H04 (MSC4 , ZP1 ) →0 0.
H0κ (X) ∼
=Hfκ (X) ⊕ Z.
0
By this exact sequence we have some conclusions:
• Since Im i2 = 0 = Ker p2 and from the First Isomorphism The other statement is a trivial result.
Theorem, we have

H14 (MSC4 , ZP1 ) = Z. 4 Properties of Euler characteristics

• It’s clear that H04 (MSC4 , ZP1 ) = Ker ∂0 . By the exact
In [7], Boxer, Karaca and Oztel have defined the Euler
sequence and the First Isomorphism Theorem, we have
characteristics of digital images. Let (X, κ ) be a digital
image of dimension m, and for each q ≥ 0, let αq be the
Z/Ker p1 ∼
= Im p1 = 0.
number of digital (κ , q)-simplexes in X. The Euler
So we get H04 (MSC4 , ZP1 ) = 0. As a result, characteristics of X, denoted by χ (X, κ ), is defined by
 m

Hq4 (MSC4 , ZP1 ) =

Z, q = 1 χ (X, κ ) = ∑ (−1)q αq .
0, q 6= 1. q=0

If we make a little change the digital simplicial They also prove that if (X, κ ) is a digital image of
homology, we get a new concept which is reduced digital dimension m, then
homology. The only difference between the two m
homologies lies on the group H0κ (X). χ (X, κ ) = ∑ (−1)q rankHqκ (X).
Definition 3.14. [12]. Let (X, κ ) be a digital simplicial q=0
complex. We define a homomorphism ε : C0κ (X) −→ Z by
putting ε (v) = 1 for each vertex v of X and extending We describe a few basic properties of the Euler
linearly to C0κ (X). This homomorphism, called characteristics. The Euler characteristics is a function χ
augmentation map, is onto. If ∂1 : C1κ (X) −→ C0κ (X) is which associates to each digital images (X, κ ) an integer
the boundary homomorphism, then ε ◦ ∂1 = 0. χ (X, κ ). The Euler characteristics is determined by the
following properties which holds in Algebraic Topology.
fκ (X) = Ker ε
Let X and Y be any topological spaces, and {p} be a
H single point set.
0
Im ∂1
1.χ ({p}) = 1.
is called the zero dimensional reduced digital homology 2.If X is homeomorphic to Y then χ (X) = χ (Y ).
fpκ (X) = Hpκ (X) for each p > 1,
group of (X, κ ). If we put H 3.For any homotopic compact spaces X and Y ,
then
fκ (X), i = 0, 1, . . .}
{H χ (X) = χ (Y ).
i

are called the reduced digital homology groups of (X, κ ). 4.For every closed subset C ⊂ X,
There is an induced inclusion map H fκ (X) −→ H κ (X)
0 0
because Im ∂1 ⊂ Ker ε ⊂ C0κ (X). χ (X) = χ (C) + χ (X \C).
Theorem 3.15. [12]. For a digital simplicial complex
(X, κ ), there are the following formulas which are related This property has a dual form
to reduced homology groups :
χ (X) = χ (U) + χ (X \U),
H0κ (X) ∼
=Hfκ (X) ⊕ Z,
0 for every open subset U ⊂ X.
5.χ (X ×Y ) = χ (X).χ (Y ).
Hpκ (X) = H
fpκ (X), p ≥ 1.

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2344 O. Ege et. al. : Relative Homology Groups of Digital Images

The Euler characteristics of a single point digital image respectively. So we have

{p} is χ ({p}) = 1 since
 χ (X) 6= χ (C) + χ (X \C).
κ Z, q = 0
Hq ({p}) =
0, q 6= 0. Now we show by an example that the property (5) need
not be hold for digital images.
In [7], Boxer et.al. prove the property (2). The other
Example 4.3. Let X = [0, 1]Z and Y = [0, 1]Z × [0, 1]Z be
properties (3), (4) and (5) don’t hold for digital images.
digital images with 2 and 4-adjacency, respectively.
We show by an example that the property (3) need not be
Consider a digital image
hold for digital images.
′ ′
Example 4.1. Let X = MSC8 be digital image with X ×Y = [0, 1]Z × [0, 1]Z × [0, 1]Z = MSS6 .
8-adjacency and Y = {p} be a single point digital image.
Havana et.al. [1] show that Boxer et.al. [7] show that
 
Z, q = 0, 1  Z, q = 0
Hq8 (X) =
0, q 6= 0, 1. Hq6 (X ×Y ) = Z5 , q = 1
 0, q 6= 0, 1.
The Euler characteristics of X is
∞
The Euler characteristics of X ×Y is (see [7])
χ (X) = ∑ (−1)i rankHi8 (X)
i=0 ∞
= 1−1+0−0+... χ (X ×Y ) = ∑ (−1)i rankHi6 (X ×Y )
i=0
= 0.
= 1−5+0−0+...
Since  = −4.
Z, q = 0
Hq8 (Y ) =
0, q =
6 0, On the other hand, since
we obtain  
∞ 2 Z, q = 0 Z, q = 0, 1
χ (Y ) = ∑ (−1)i rankHi8 (Y ) Hq (X) = and Hq4 (Y ) =
0, q 6= 0 0, q =
6 0, 1,
i=0
= 1−0+0−... we have
∞
= 1. χ (X) = ∑ (−1)i rankHi2 (X)
i=0
As a consequence, although X is (8, 8)-homotopic to Y ,
χ (X) 6= χ (Y ). So the property (3) doesn’t hold for digital = 1−0+0−...
images. = 1.
We can show that the property (4) needn’t be hold for
digital images. and
∞
χ (Y ) = ∑ (−1)i rankHi4 (Y )
i=0
= 1−1+0−0+...
= 0.
As a result, we get

χ (X ×Y ) 6= χ (X).χ (Y ).
Fig. 4: X \C

5 Conclusion
Example 4.2. Let X be the digital image MSC4 . We take
the digital projective line ZP1 which is the closed subset The main goal of this study is to compute the relative
of X. Let this image be denoted by C. Consider a digital homology groups and determine some properties of Euler
image X \ C. This is again the digital projective line ZP1 characteristics for digital images. We hope that this article
(see Figure 4). The Euler characteristics of X, C and X \C will be helpful in the study of digital homology groups
are and that will yield us to compute the homology groups of
some part of the digital image when we know the
χ (X) = 0, χ (C) = 1 and χ (X \C) = 1, homology groups of an entire image.

c 2014 NSP
Natural Sciences Publishing Cor.
Appl. Math. Inf. Sci. 8, No. 5, 2337-2345 (2014) / www.naturalspublishing.com/Journals.asp 2345

Acknowledgement Ozgur Ege received

a Bachelor’s degree in
The authors are grateful to the anonymous referee for a Mathematics from Ege
careful checking of the details and for helpful comments University in Turkey
that improved this paper. and started an integrated
PhD programme in the
field of algebraic topology
References at the same university. He
is a research assistant at Celal
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c 2014 NSP
Natural Sciences Publishing Cor.