• Journal of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1479-1503
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• 2007

In this paper, we study a strong k-deformation retract derived from a relative k-homotopy and investigate its properties in relation to both a k-homotopic thinning and the k-fundamental group. Moreover, we show that the k-fundamental group of a wedge product of closed k-curves not k-contractible is a free group by the use of some properties of both a strong k-deformation retract and a digital covering. Finally, we write an algorithm for calculating the k-fundamental group of a dosed k-curve by the use of a k-homotopic thinning.