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We work within the one-parameter family of symmetric tent maps, where the slope is the parameter. Given two such tent maps $f_a$, $f_b$ with periodic critical points, we show that the inverse limit spaces ${(}_a,f_a)$ and ${(}_b,g_b)$ are not homeomorphic when a ≠ b. To obtain our result, we define topological substructures of a composant, called “wrapping points” and “gaps”, and identify properties of these substructures preserved under a homeomorphism.

Let $f_s$ and $f_t$ be tent maps on the unit interval. In this paper we give a new proof of the fact that if the critical points of $f_s$ and $f_t$ are periodic and the inverse limit spaces $(I,f_s)$ and $(I,f_t)$ are homeomorphic, then s = t. This theorem was first proved by Kailhofer. The new proof in this paper simplifies the proof of Kailhofer. Using the techniques of the paper we are also able to identify certain isotopies between homeomorphisms on the inverse limit space.