Steenrod squares are cohomology operations that act on the cohomology groups of topological spaces, providing a way to understand how these groups behave under certain transformations. They extend the concept of cup products in cohomology, allowing mathematicians to study the relationships between different cohomology classes and gain insights into the topology of the underlying spaces. Steenrod squares also connect to other advanced concepts, such as Wu classes and Stiefel-Whitney classes, creating a rich framework for exploring algebraic topology.
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