On the uniqueness of decomposition into Cartesian product of curves (Q2250141): Difference between revisions

In [\textit{K. Borsuk}, Fundam. Math. 40, 140--159 (1953; Zbl 0053.29904)], the question is raised whether a finite Cartesian product of curves (= metrizable continua of dimension one) preserves the identity of the factors themselves; and the present paper offers a partial solution with the following: If \(\prod_{I=1}^mX_i\) and \(\prod_{j=1}^nY_j\) are homeomorphic finite Cartesian products of locally connected curves, then \(m=n\) and there is a permutation \(\sigma\) on \(\{1,\dots,m\}\) such that \(X_i\) is homeomorphic to \(Y_{\sigma(i)}\), for \(1\leq i\leq m\). The proof is quite technical, and builds on earlier partial results of Borsuk and others.