= Solution
A <categorical limit> of $D:\mathcal J\to\mathcal C$ is a terminal cone $(L,(p_j))$: every cone $(X,(x_j))$ has a unique map $X\to L$ commuting with all legs.
Assume all small products and <equalizer>[equalizers] exist. Put
$$
P=\prod_{j\in\mathcal J}D(j),
\qquad
Q=\prod_{u:i\to j}D(j).
$$
Define $s,t:P\rightrightarrows Q$ so that the $u:i\to j$ components are
$$
s_u=D(u)\pi_i,\qquad t_u=\pi_j.
$$
A map $X\to P$ equalizes $s,t$ exactly when its components form a cone over $D$. Therefore $\operatorname{eq}(s,t)$ represents cones and is the limit. This is the <construction of small limits from products and equalizers>.
Back to article page