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For a cellular map between nonempty CW complexes, the reduced cellular chain complex of its topological mapping cone has differentialHere $C_{-1}(X)=0$ and the degree-zero group identifies a vertex $y$ with the reduced chain $y-v$, where $v$ is the cone vertex. Thus this is the mapping cone of $f_{\#}$, in the displayed ordering of the summands.

Let $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ be a Noetherian local ring, let $M$ be nonzero and finitely generated, and let every $f_i$ lie in $\mathfrak{m}$. Then positive Koszul homology vanishes exactly when $f$ is a regular sequence on a module $M$. The mapping cone exact sequence proves the forward implication by induction; surjectivity of the last generator on earlier homology and the Nakayama lemma prove the converse.

For a regular sequence $f_1,\dots ,f_r$ in a commutative ring $R$, its Koszul complex is the finite free projective resolution of $R/(f_1,\dots ,f_r)$ with terms ${\bigwedge }^j{R}^r$ and boundary map contracting by $(f_1,\dots ,f_r)$. Exactness follows by induction: append $f_r$ using the mapping cone for multiplication by $f_r$, which is injective on the preceding quotient. For a polynomial ring viewed as a bimodule, use the regular sequence $X_{i,\ell }-X_{i,r}$ in the enveloping algebra.

The topological mapping cone of $f:X\to Y$ is $Y{\cup }_{f}CX$, where $CX$ is the cone on $X$ and its base is identified with $Y$ through $f$. For nonempty $X$, the cone vertex supplies a distinguished basepoint. This construction is related to, but distinct from, the mapping cone of a chain map.

First check the signs directly. For $(x,y)\in M_i$, applying the proposed differential twice givesbecause $f$ is a chain map. Thus $M$ is a chain complex.

Let $C^{\prime }$ be the shifted chain complex with $C_i^{\prime }=C_{i-1}$ and differential $d_C$; here there is no minus sign in that differential. Inclusion in the second summand and projection onto the first give a short exact sequence of chain complexesTo compute the connecting map in its long exact sequence in homology, lift a cycle $x\in C_{i-1}$ to $(x,0)\in M_i$. Its boundary is $(0,(-1{)}^{i}f(x))$. Hence the connecting map $H_i(C^{\prime })\to H_{i-1}(D)$ is $(-1{)}^i{f}_{\ast }$, and the relevant exact portion isIf every $f_{\ast }$ is an isomorphism, exactness makes $H_i(M)=0$. Conversely, if every $H_i(M)$ is zero, the adjacent exact portions make every $f_{\ast }$ both injective and surjective. ThereforeThis is the acyclicity criterion for a mapping cone, with the degree-dependent signs adjusted to the given convention.

For the assertion about spaces, use the cellular approximation theorem to replace $f$ by a cellular map, and take the induced map of the finite free cellular chain complexes. Tensoring these complexes and their cone with ${\mathbb{F}}_p$ gives the corresponding mod-$p$ complexes and cone. The same exact-sequence argument works over ${\mathbb{F}}_p$, so the assumed homology isomorphisms implyThe universal coefficient theorem for homology givesIn particular $H_i(M)\otimes {\mathbb{F}}_p=0$ for every prime. Each $H_i(M)$ is a finitely generated abelian group. A nonzero free summand would survive tensoring with every ${\mathbb{F}}_p$, while a nonzero finite cyclic summand would survive for a prime dividing its order. Thus $H_i(M)=0$ in every degree, by detection of integral acyclicity modulo primes. Applying the cone criterion once more proves the integral homology map is an isomorphism in every degree. Finite generation is what makes detection by all prime fields sufficient.

Let $R$ be a commutative ring and $f=(f_1,\dots ,f_r)$. The Koszul complex packages these elements and their relations in a finite chain complex of free modules. With $E=R^r$ and basis $e_1,\dots ,e_r$, set $K_i(f;R)={\bigwedge }^{i}E$ for $0\le i\le r$, and defineDeleting two distinct basis elements in the two possible orders gives opposite signs and the same coefficient, so ${\partial }^2=0$. Equivalently $K(f;R)$ is the tensor product of chain complexes of $r$ two-term complexes $[R\stackrel{f_i}{\to }R]$ in degrees one and zero. The tensor differential is $\partial (u\otimes v)=\partial u\otimes v+(-1{)}^{\mathrm{deg}u}u\otimes \partial v$. This fixes the sign convention. On the exterior algebra, the differential is a graded derivation determined by $\partial e_i=f_i$.

For an $R$-module $M$, define the Koszul complex with module coefficients by $K(f;M)=K(f;R){\otimes }_{R}M$. Its degree-zero Koszul homology isIts higher Koszul homology measures the failure of these equations to form a regular sequence on a module. Each $f_j$ annihilates every homology group. Indeed the Koszul homotopy for multiplication by a generator is $h_j(u)=e_j\wedge u$, and the graded product rule givesFor coefficients in $M$ the same identity holds after tensoring. Thus multiplication by $f_j$ is zero on homology, and the homology groups are naturally modules over $R/(f)$. If $(f)=R$, choose ${\sum }_j{a}_j{f}_j=1$; then ${\sum }_j{a}_j{h}_j$ is a contracting homotopy, so the entire complex is contractible. These identities are also useful after localization of a ring: wherever one generator is a unit, the complex has zero homology.

The construction is functorial under a ring homomorphism, and base change gives $K(f;R){\otimes }_{R}S=K(\bar{f};S)$, since its terms are free with the displayed basis and differential. An invertible change of generators $f_i={\sum }_j{u}_{ij}{g}_j$ gives a chain isomorphism by sending $e_i$ to ${\sum }_j{u}_{ij}{e}_j$ and extending to exterior powers. In particular, permuting the generators changes only the exterior signs, not the isomorphism class of the complex.

The essential exactness theorem is that a regular sequence on a module gives zero positive Koszul homology. Recall that $f_i$ must act injectively on $M/(f_1,\dots ,f_{i-1})M$, with final quotient nonzero. Put $f^{\prime }=(f_1,\dots ,f_{r-1})$. Adding the final two-term complex identifies $K(f;M)$ with the mapping cone of multiplication by $f_r$ on $K(f^{\prime };M)$, with the chosen tensor signs. The long exact sequence in homology consequently has segmentsFor $r=1$, positive homology is exactly $\ker (f_1:M\to M)$. By induction the preceding homology vanishes above zero. The final injectivity assumption kills $H_1(f;M)$, while the exact sequence kills every $H_i$ for $i>1$. Thereforefor a regular sequence on a module. In particular $K(f;R)$ is a finite free resolution of $R/(f)$ when $f$ is a regular sequence, with ranks $\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{r}{i}\right)$ and length $r$.

There is a precise converse under local finiteness assumptions. Suppose $(R,\mathfrak{m})$ is a Noetherian local ring, $0\ne M$ is finitely generated, and all $f_i\in \mathfrak{m}$. If positive Koszul homology vanishes, the same exact sequence makes multiplication by $f_r$ surjective on every $H_i(f^{\prime };M)$ for $i>0$. These modules are finitely generated because the ring is Noetherian and the terms of the complex are finite modules. The Nakayama lemma gives $H_i(f^{\prime };M)=0$. Induction makes $f^{\prime }$ regular on $M$, and the degree-one part of the exact sequence makes $f_r$ injective on $H_0(f^{\prime };M)$. The final quotient is nonzero, again by the Nakayama lemma. This proves the Koszul acyclicity criterion in a Noetherian local ring:The hypotheses matter: a unit ideal makes the complex contractible but cannot be a proper regular sequence.

Examples make both sides visible. For $R=k[x,y]$ and $f=(x,y)$, the Koszul resolution isThe signs agree with $\partial (e_1\wedge e_2)=x{e}_2-y{e}_1$. For $R=k[x]$ and $f=(x,x)$, the degree-one cycles are $R(1,-1)$ and the boundaries are $xR(1,-1)$; hence $H_1\cong R/(x)$, while $H_2=0$. The repeated element has exposed a relation that the first element already kills.

The Koszul complex also computes derived functors. If $f$ is a regular sequence on $R$, its free resolution givesHere no regularity of $f$ on $M$ is assumed. For $S=k[x_1,\dots ,x_r]$, tensor the Koszul resolution on the variables with $k$. Every differential becomes zero, soThe top group is nonzero, showing that a free resolution of $k$ cannot be shorter than $r$.

Finally, wedging complementary exterior degrees gives a perfect pairing $K_i{\otimes }_R{K}_{r-i}\to {\bigwedge }^r{R}^r\cong R$. It identifies the dual cochain complex with the degree-reversed Koszul complex, after the appropriate signs. This self-duality of the Koszul complex shows, for a regular sequence, thatThus the same explicit complex simultaneously records quotient equations, regularity, relations, Tor functor computations and Ext functor computations. Its finiteness and exterior structure are what make it especially effective in commutative algebra.

For central $t_1,\dots ,t_n$, define the Koszul complex on central ring elements using formal exterior symbols:with zero terms outside $0\le k\le n$ and differentialThe terms are free bimodules with the formal symbols commuting with coefficients. Centrality makes $d$ a bimodule map, and the terms in $d^2$ cancel in pairs because the $t_i$ commute. This defines the Koszul complex over a possibly noncommutative ring without using an undefined exterior algebra of arbitrary one-sided modules. In particular $K(\mathbf{t}){\otimes }_{R}M$ is a well-defined chain complex of left modules.

A regular sequence on a module means that multiplication by $t_i$ is injective on $M/(t_1,\dots ,t_{i-1})M$ for each $i$, usually with the additional convention that the final quotient is nonzero. The homology vanishing below uses only the injectivity conditions. For one element, the chain complex is $M\stackrel{t_1}{\to }M$, with zero first homology and zeroth homology $M/t_{1}M$.

For the induction let $C=K(t_1,\dots ,t_{n-1}){\otimes }_{R}M$. Adjoining the last generator identifies the new Koszul complex with the mapping cone of multiplication by $t_n$ on $C$. In the convention $\mathrm{Cone}(t_n{)}_k=C_k\oplus C_{k-1}$ its differential is $(a,b)\mapsto (da+t_{n}b,-db)$; the identification is $a+e_n\wedge b$. The long exact sequence in homology of this mapping cone givesThe induction hypothesis is $H_k(C)=0$ for $k>0$ and $H_0(C)=N=M/(t_1,\dots ,t_{n-1})M$. Regularity makes $t_n:N\to N$ injective. Hence the new positive homology is zero and its zeroth homology is $N/t_{n}N$. The augmentation to this quotient induces these homology isomorphisms, giving the quasi-isomorphismwhere the right side is placed in degree zero. The results used are the long exact sequence in homology of a degreewise short exact sequence of complexes and its mapping cone form, together with the stated induction; no unmentioned acyclicity criterion is needed.

For $R=\mathbb{Z}[X]$, $(p,X)$ is a regular sequence: $p$ is a non-zero-divisor in $R$, and multiplication by $X$ is injective in $(\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z})[X]$, even when $p$ is composite. The Koszul resolution of $R/(p,X)$ isWith $N=\mathbb{Z}/q\mathbb{Z}$ and $X$ acting as zero, applying the Hom functor gives the cochain complexThus, more generally, the Ext groups between polynomial-ring residue modules areand vanish in all degrees above two. For the equal-modulus case,These are $R$-modules through $X=0$ and reduction modulo $p$. If the multiplicative self-Ext functor is desired, the Koszul self-Ext algebra is the exterior algebra on two degree-one generators over $\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z}$. The two contractions on the Koszul resolution lift these classes, square to zero and anticommute, so this description also holds for composite $p$ and characteristic two. For coprime $p,q$, multiplication by $p$ is invertible on $N$, so both its kernel and cokernel vanish:

For a finitely generated module $V={⨁}_d{V}_d$ over the graded ring $S=k[X_1,\dots ,X_n]$, with each $X_i$ of degree one, its Poincare series of a graded module isThis is also its Hilbert series. One usually takes $d\ge 0$; allowing an integer grading also permits finitely many negative degrees. Homogeneous generators of degrees $a_1,\dots ,a_h$ give a surjection ${⨁}_{j}S(-a_j)\to V$, where the graded shift is defined by $V(-a{)}_d=V_{d-a}$. Consequently every $V_d$ is a finite-dimensional vector space and $V_d=0$ for all sufficiently negative $d$.

The Hilbert-Serre theorem in the standard grading saysFor a nonnegatively graded $V$, the numerator is in $\mathbb{Z}[t]$. Equivalently, the only possible pole of this rational expression is at $t=1$, with order at most $n$.

We prove the Hilbert-Serre theorem by induction on the number of variables. For $n=0$, $S=k$ and $V$ is a finite-dimensional graded module; thus $P_V(t)$ is a Laurent polynomial. Suppose $n>0$ and putThe Hilbert basis theorem makes $S$ a Noetherian ring, so $K$ is a finitely generated module, as is $C$. Both are graded modules killed by $X_n$, hence finitely generated over $S^{\prime }=k[X_1,\dots ,X_{n-1}]$.

The graded exact sequenceidentifies the kernel and cokernel of multiplication by $X_n$. Taking the alternating sum of the finite-dimensional degree components yieldssoBy induction the right side has denominator $(1-t{)}^{n-1}$, which proves the required denominator $(1-t{)}^n$. Since $(1-t{)}^n{P}_V(t)$ has no negative powers when $V$ is nonnegatively graded, its Laurent polynomial numerator is an ordinary polynomial in that case.

For $n\ge 1$, this also implies the usual Hilbert polynomial consequence. Writing $Q(t)={\sum }_j{q}_j{t}^j$ and usinggives, for all sufficiently large $d$,a polynomial in $d$ of degree at most $n-1$. For $n=0$, the graded pieces are eventually zero.

For the final request, a free resolution of $V$ is an exact sequencewith each $F_i$ a free module. In the graded setting we take finite direct sums of shifts $S(-a)$ and maps preserving degree. The resolution has length at most $n$ if $F_i=0$ for every $i>n$. The syzygy modules are the successive kernels which record the relations among generators, then relations among those relations, and so on.

Put $\mathfrak{m}=(X_1,\dots ,X_n)$, the homogeneous maximal ideal with $S/\mathfrak{m}=k$. Choose a homogeneous $k$-basis of $V/\mathfrak{m}V$ and lift it to $V$. These lifts generate $V$ by the graded Nakayama lemma: a bounded-below graded module $W$ satisfying $W=\mathfrak{m}W$ must be zero, since a nonzero homogeneous element of least degree could not be a sum of variables times elements of lower degrees. Apply this to the quotient by the submodule generated by the chosen lifts. This gives a surjection $F_0\to V$ inducing an isomorphism modulo $\mathfrak{m}$.

Its kernel is finitely generated because $S$ is a Noetherian ring. Repeat the construction for that kernel, then for each subsequent kernel. We obtain a minimal graded free resolution, meaningIndeed, at each stage the free cover induces an isomorphism modulo $\mathfrak{m}$, so its kernel lies in $\mathfrak{m}$ times its source. The sequence is exact by construction, though it may at first appear infinite.

The Koszul complex on $X_1,\dots ,X_n$ iswith basis vectors $e_j$ given degree one, and differentialThe hat means omission of that factor. Every pair of terms in ${\partial }^2$ cancels with opposite signs, so this is a chain complex. The sequence $X_1,\dots ,X_n$ is a regular sequence: after quotienting by the first $j-1$ variables, the next variable is a non-zero-divisor in the remaining polynomial ring.

The Koszul complex is consequently exact in positive degrees and has $H_0=k$, so it is a Koszul resolution of $k$ of length $n$. For completeness, one proves this by induction: for one variable it is $0\to S\stackrel{X_1}{\to }S\to S/(X_1)\to 0$. Appending $X_j$ constructs the mapping cone of multiplication by $X_j$ on the previous chain complex. Its homology is zero in positive degrees because $X_j$ acts injectively on $S/(X_1,\dots ,X_{j-1})$; its degree-zero homology is the further quotient. Here a mapping cone combines a chain complex with a shifted copy and adds the given multiplication map to the differential, thereby measuring its kernel and cokernel on homology.

The Tor functor ${\mathrm{Tor}}_i^S(V,k)$ is defined as the degree-$i$ homology of $F_{\bullet }{\otimes }_{S}k$ for a free resolution $F_{\bullet }$ of $V$. It can equally be computed as the homology of $V{\otimes }_S{K}_{\bullet }$, using the Koszul resolution of $k$. To see the equality, form the double complex $F_{\bullet }{\otimes }_S{K}_{\bullet }$. Taking homology first along $F_{\bullet }$ leaves $V{\otimes }_S{K}_{\bullet }$, since each $K_i$ is a free module; taking homology first along $K_{\bullet }$ leaves $F_{\bullet }{\otimes }_{S}k$, since each $F_i$ is free. The finite sums along each total degree identify both with the homology of the total complex. This also explains the symmetry used in computing the Tor functor.

Since $K_i=0$ for $i>n$, we have ${\mathrm{Tor}}_i^S(V,k)=0$ for $i>n$. On the other hand, all differentials of the minimal graded free resolution become zero after tensoring with $k=S/\mathfrak{m}$, soThus $F_i/\mathfrak{m}{F}_i=0$ for $i>n$, and the graded Nakayama lemma implies $F_i=0$ for those $i$. We have proved the required Hilbert syzygy theorem:where some initial $F_i$ may be zero. The argument supplies finitely generated graded free modules, which is stronger than merely giving an ungraded free resolution.

Write $v$ for the cone vertex. The quotient is the topological mapping cone $C_f=Y{\cup }_{f}CX$. First assume $X\ne \varnothing$, as is implicit in having this vertex; a map then also forces $Y\ne \varnothing$.

Take the open cover consisting of the image of $X\times [0,2/3)$ and the image of $Y\bigsqcup (X\times (1/3,1])$. Denote these sets by $U,V$. The first contracts to $v$, the second has a deformation retraction onto $Y$, and $U\cap V\cong X\times (1/3,2/3)$ retracts onto $X$. Under these identifications the two inclusion maps induce the zero map into positive-degree homology of $U$ and $f_{\ast }$ into the homology of $V$. The Mayer–Vietoris theorem consequently gives, in positive degrees,The same assertion holds in degree zero, but needs care: the ordinary Mayer-Vietoris map isSince ${\epsilon }_Y{f}_{\ast }a={\epsilon }_{X}a$, its kernel equals $\ker f_{\ast }$. On quotienting $H_0(Z;G)$ by the direct summand $G[v]$, its cokernel becomes $\mathrm{coker}{f}_{\ast }$. That quotient is canonically identified with reduced homology by subtracting the augmentation times $[v]$. Thus the last nonzero part isIn particular the map from $H_0(Y;G)$ sends a component class $[y]$ to $[y]-[v]$. This proves the mapping cone exact sequence; finite generation of $G$ is not needed for this construction.

There is a literal empty-space exception in the printed hypotheses. If $X=\varnothing$ and $Y$ is a point, the given quotient is just $Y$, and the asserted degree-zero exact sequence would be $0\to G\to 0$. Thus the displayed reduced sequence presupposes nonempty $X$. It holds also for empty $X$ if one defines its cone to include a new isolated vertex. The later homology-isomorphism claim itself remains true for empty finite complexes, with the cases involving one empty complex dealt with directly in degree zero.

Now take nonempty finite CW complexes $X,Y$. Put $A_q={\tilde{H}}_q(Z;\mathbb{Z})$. The exact sequence giveswhere $H_{-1}=0$. All $A_q$ are finitely generated abelian groups, since the groups for $X,Y$ are finitely generated. Moreover, by exactness,The reduced universal coefficient theorem for homology givesIf all $A_q$ vanish, so does the middle term for every prime, and the exact sequence with coefficients proves that $f_{\ast }$ is an isomorphism modulo every prime. Conversely, those isomorphisms imply that the middle terms vanish, hence $A_q\otimes {\mathbb{F}}_p=0$ for every prime $p$. By the Fundamental theorem of finitely generated abelian groups, a nonzero free summand would survive modulo every prime, and a cyclic torsion summand would survive modulo a prime dividing its order. Thus $A_q=0$ for every $q$, provingThis argument uses the exact sequence to obtain finite generation; it does not assume in advance that the cone of an arbitrary continuous map is a finite CW complex.

Finally suppose $f$ is a cellular map. Keep the cells of $Y$, add the vertex $v$, and add a $(q+1)$-cell for the cone on every $q$-cell of $X$. Its top face attaches to $Y$ through $f$, and its other faces attach to cones on lower-dimensional cells. The cellular condition puts these attachments in the appropriate skeleton. This constructs a finite CW complex structure on $Z$.

Let $A_{\ast }=C_{\ast }^{\mathrm{cell}}(X)$ and $B_{\ast }=C_{\ast }^{\mathrm{cell}}(Y)$ be the ordinary cellular chain complexes, with $A_{-1}=0$. Orient each coned cell so that its boundary has the form $f_{\#}(e)-c(d_{A}e)$. Using $[y]-[v]$ as the reduced generator for each vertex of $Y$ givesIn particular ${\tilde{C}}_0^{\mathrm{cell}}(Z)=B_0$, and the boundary of a cone edge is its image vertex minus $v$. The chain map identity $d_B{f}_{\#}=f_{\#}{d}_A$ givesThis is the cellular chain complex of a mapping cone, equivalently the algebraic mapping cone with the displayed summand and sign conventions.

Repeated Smith normal form puts a chain complex of finitely generated free abelian groups into its elementary decomposition of a finite free chain complex: one-term summands $\mathbb{Z}$ and two-term summands $0\to \mathbb{Z}\stackrel{m}{\to }\mathbb{Z}\to 0$. Applying ${\mathrm{Hom}}_{\mathbb{Z}}(-,\mathbb{Z})$ reverses a two-term summand but keeps the same multiplication by $m$. Reading its homology gives the universal coefficient theorem for cohomologysplit noncanonically. Thus if $H_n(C)\cong {\mathbb{Z}}^{b_n}\oplus T_n$ with $T_n$ finite, then

The universal coefficient theorem for homology with ${\mathbb{F}}_p$ coefficients givesIf the middle group vanishes for every prime $p$, so does the tensor term. Any nonzero free summand survives for every $p$, and any nonzero finite summand survives for a prime dividing its order. Since integral homology is finitely generated, it must vanish in every degree. This is detection of integral acyclicity modulo primes.

For the displayed complex, writeUsing $f_{\#}{d}_C=d_D{f}_{\#}$, one obtainsThus $M$ is the mapping cone of $f_{\#}$ in this sign convention. Its long exact sequence in homology shows that $f_{\ast }$ is an isomorphism exactly when $H_{\ast }(M)=0$. If $f_{\ast }$ is an isomorphism with ${\mathbb{F}}_p$ coefficients for every prime, then $M\otimes {\mathbb{F}}_p$ is acyclic for every $p$. Prime-field detection makes $M$ integrally acyclic, so the integral long exact sequence gives

Let $f:(C,d)\to (C^{\prime },d^{\prime })$ be a chain map, soIf $x\in C_i$ is a cycle, then $d^{\prime }{f}_i(x)=f_{i-1}d(x)=0$, so $f_i(x)$ is a cycle. If $x=d_{i+1}y$ is a boundary, thenis a boundary. Henceis a well-defined induced map on homology.

The maps $f$ and $g$ are chain homotopic if there are homomorphismssuch thatFor a cycle $x$, this giveswhich is a boundary. Thus $f_{\ast }[x]=g_{\ast }[x]$ and $f_{\ast }=g_{\ast }$ on homology.

Now consider the proposed mapping cone $M(f)$. Applying its differential twice givesThe diagonal entries vanish because $C$ and $C^{\prime }$ are chain complexes, and the lower-left entry isby the chain-map identity. Therefore $d_f^2=0$ and $M(f)$ is a chain complex.

There is a short exact sequence of chain complexeswhereIts long exact sequence in homology isTo identify the connecting map, represent a class in $H_{i-1}(C)$ by a cycle $x$ and lift it to $(x,0)\in M(f{)}_i$. ThensoAt the preceding occurrence the degree is $i+1$, giving $(-1{)}^{i+1}{f}_{\ast }$. Hence the sequence is exactly

Finally suppose $f-g=d^{\prime }h+hd$. DefineA direct calculation givesThese are equal precisely because $f-g=d^{\prime }h+hd$. Thus $\Phi$ is a chain map. Replacing the plus sign in its definition by a minus sign gives its inverse, so $M(f)$ and $M(g)$ are isomorphic as chain complexes.