n-Torus Embedding – How to Embed in $\mathbb{R}^{n+1}$ via Implicit Function

differential-geometrygeneral-topologygeometry

my aim is to show that the $n$-Torus $T^n = S^1 \times \ldots \times S^1$ can be embedded into $\mathbb{R}^{n+1}$ by giving a function $f: \mathbb{R}^{n+1} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ such that the Torus is described by all points satisfying $\ f(x_1,\ldots,x_n)=0$. This is quite simple in the two dimensional case with the equation $(\sqrt{x^2+y^2}-R)^2+z^2=r^2$.
Trying to find a similar equation for higher dimensions i was starting with a parametric description of $T^3$ and then tried to eliminate the parameters in order to get a implicit description. But already in this case it got extremely messy with a lot of case distinctions (since $\sin$ and $\cos$ can't be inverted at once for the whole interval of the parameters $(0,2\pi)$).

So does anybody know a more elegant way to achieve an implicit description of $T^3$ and eventually $T^n$ or is there just none?

Best Answer

Start with the equation $$x_1^2+x_2^2=r_1^2$$ which describes a centered circle in the place of radius $r_1$. Replace $x_2$ by $\sqrt{x_2^2+x_3^2}-r_2$, so get $$x_1^2+(\sqrt{x_2^2+x_3^2}-r_2)^2=r_1^2.$$ This is a $2$-torus with radii $r_1$ and $r_2$. Let's do this again: replace the last variable $x_3$ by $\sqrt{x_3^2+x_4^2}-r_3$, to get $$x_1^2+(\sqrt{x_2^2+(\sqrt{x_3^2+x_4^2}-r_3)^2}-r_2)^2=r_1^2.$$ This is a $3$-torus with radii $r_1$, $r_2$, $r_3$.

One can go on as long as one wants.

This is just using the procedure which goes from, say, a curve to the surface of revolution it generates, several times.

(Of course, the radii have to be such that the thing is an actual torus, without any self-intersections)

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