\(\frac {1}{2}\)-Homogeneous continua with cut points (Q886311)

Given an integer \(n\), a space \(X\) is said to be \(\frac{1}{n}\)-homogeneous provided that \(X\) has exactly \(n\) orbits under the action of its homeomorphism group. Every \(n\)-cell is clearly \(\frac{1}{2}\)-homogeneous. The authors remark that very little is known about \(\frac{1}{2}\)-homogeneity. They prove among other things that if \(X\) is a \(\frac{1}{2}\)-continuum with at least one cut point, then the set of all cut points of \(X\) is either homeomorphic to the reals and is both open and dense in \(X\) or consists of a single point. They conclude from this that a continuum \(X\) with more that one cut point is \(\frac{1}{2}\)-homogeneous if and only if \(X\) is an arc or \(X\) is a compactification of the reals whose remainder is the union of two disjoint, nondegenerate, homeomorphic continua and the ends of \(X\) are mutually homeomorphic and \(\frac{1}{3}\)-homogeneous. They also present several illuminating examples.