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simplicial.tex
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\input{preamble}
% OK, start here.
%
\begin{document}
\title{Simplicial Methods}
\maketitle
\phantomsection
\label{section-phantom}
\tableofcontents
\section{Introduction}
\label{section-introduction}
\noindent
This is a minimal introduction to simplicial methods.
We just add here whenever something is needed later on.
A general reference to this material is perhaps \cite{SimpHom}.
An example of the things you can do is the paper
by Quillen on Homotopical Algebra, see \cite{Quillen}
or the paper on \'Etale Homotopy by Artin and Mazur, see \cite{ArtinMazur}.
\section{The category of finite ordered sets}
\label{section-Delta}
\noindent
The category $\Delta$ is the category with
\begin{enumerate}
\item objects $[0], [1], [2], \ldots$ with
$[n] = \{0, 1, 2, \ldots, n\}$ and
\item a morphism $[n] \to [m]$ is a nondecreasing map
$\{0, 1, 2, \ldots, n\} \to \{0, 1, 2, \ldots, m\}$
between the corresponding sets.
\end{enumerate}
Here {\it nondecreasing} for a map $\varphi : [n] \to [m]$
means by definition that $\varphi(i) \geq \varphi(j)$ if $i \geq j$.
In other words, $\Delta$ is a category equivalent to the
``big'' category of finite totally ordered sets and nondecreasing maps.
There are exactly $n + 1$ morphisms $[0] \to [n]$ and
there is exactly $1$ morphism $[n] \to [0]$. There are
exactly $(n + 1)(n + 2)/2$ morphisms $[1] \to [n]$ and there are
exactly $n + 2$ morphisms $[n] \to [1]$. And so on and so forth.
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-face-degeneracy}
For any integer $n\geq 1$, and any $0\leq j \leq n$ we let
{\it $\delta^n_j : [n-1] \to [n]$}
denote the injective order preserving map skipping $j$. For any
integer $n\geq 0$, and any $0\leq j \leq n$ we denote
{\it $\sigma^n_j : [n + 1] \to [n]$}
the surjective order preserving map with
$(\sigma^n_j)^{-1}(\{j\}) = \{j, j + 1\}$.
\end{definition}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-face-degeneracy}
Any morphism in $\Delta$ can be written as a composition
of the morphisms $\delta^n_j$ and $\sigma^n_j$.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
Let $\varphi : [n] \to [m]$ be a morphism of $\Delta$.
If $j \not \in \Im(\varphi)$, then we can write
$\varphi$ as $\delta^m_j \circ \psi$ for some morphism
$\psi : [n] \to [m - 1]$. If $\varphi(j) = \varphi(j + 1)$
then we can write $\varphi$ as $\psi \circ \sigma^{n - 1}_j$
for some morphism $\psi : [n - 1] \to [m]$.
The result follows because each replacement
as above lowers $n + m$ and hence at some point
$\varphi$ is both injective and surjective, hence
an identity morphism.
\end{proof}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-relations-face-degeneracy}
The morphisms $\delta^n_j$ and $\sigma^n_j$ satisfy the following relations.
\begin{enumerate}
\item If $0 \leq i < j \leq n + 1$, then
$\delta^{n + 1}_j \circ \delta^n_i =
\delta^{n + 1}_i \circ \delta^n_{j - 1}$.
In other words the diagram
$$
\xymatrix{
& [n] \ar[rd]^{\delta^{n + 1}_j} & \\
[n - 1] \ar[ru]^{\delta^n_i} \ar[rd]_{\delta^n_{j - 1}} & &
[n + 1] \\
& [n] \ar[ru]_{\delta^{n + 1}_i} &
}
$$
commutes.
\item If $0 \leq i < j \leq n - 1$, then
$\sigma^{n - 1}_j \circ \delta^n_i =
\delta^{n - 1}_i \circ \sigma^{n - 2}_{j - 1}$.
In other words the diagram
$$
\xymatrix{
& [n] \ar[rd]^{\sigma^{n - 1}_j} & \\
[n - 1] \ar[ru]^{\delta^n_i} \ar[rd]_{\sigma^{n - 2}_{j - 1}} & &
[n - 1] \\
& [n - 2] \ar[ru]_{\delta^{n - 1}_i} &
}
$$
commutes.
\item If $0 \leq j \leq n - 1$, then
$\sigma^{n - 1}_j \circ \delta^n_j = \text{id}_{[n - 1]}$
and
$\sigma^{n - 1}_j \circ \delta^n_{j + 1} = \text{id}_{[n - 1]}$.
In other words the diagram
$$
\xymatrix{
& [n] \ar[rd]^{\sigma^{n - 1}_j} & \\
[n - 1]
\ar[ru]^{\delta^n_j}
\ar[rd]_{\delta^n_{j + 1}}
\ar[rr]^{\text{id}_{[n - 1]}} & & [n - 1] \\
& [n] \ar[ru]_{\sigma^{n - 1}_j} &
}
$$
commutes.
\item If $0 < j + 1 < i \leq n$, then
$\sigma^{n - 1}_j \circ \delta^n_i =
\delta^{n - 1}_{i - 1} \circ \sigma^{n - 2}_j$.
In other words the diagram
$$
\xymatrix{
& [n] \ar[rd]^{\sigma^{n - 1}_j} & \\
[n - 1] \ar[ru]^{\delta^n_i} \ar[rd]_{\sigma^{n - 2}_j} & &
[n - 1] \\
& [n - 2] \ar[ru]_{\delta^{n - 1}_{i - 1}} &
}
$$
commutes.
\item If $0 \leq i \leq j \leq n - 1$, then
$\sigma^{n - 1}_j \circ \sigma^n_i =
\sigma^{n - 1}_i \circ \sigma^n_{j + 1}$.
In other words the diagram
$$
\xymatrix{
& [n] \ar[rd]^{\sigma^{n - 1}_j} & \\
[n + 1] \ar[ru]^{\sigma^n_i} \ar[rd]_{\sigma^n_{j + 1}} & &
[n - 1] \\
& [n] \ar[ru]_{\sigma^{n - 1}_i} &
}
$$
commutes.
\end{enumerate}
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
Omitted.
\end{proof}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-face-degeneracy-category}
The category $\Delta$ is the universal category
with objects $[n]$, $n \geq 0$ and morphisms
$\delta^n_j$ and $\sigma^n_j$ such that (a) every morphism is
a composition of these morphisms, (b) the relations
listed in Lemma \ref{lemma-relations-face-degeneracy} are satisfied,
and (c) any relation among the morphisms is a consequence of
those relations.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
Omitted.
\end{proof}
\section{Simplicial objects}
\label{section-simplicial-object}
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-simplicial-object}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
\begin{enumerate}
\item A {\it simplicial object $U$ of $\mathcal{C}$}
is a contravariant functor $U$ from $\Delta$ to
$\mathcal{C}$, in a formula:
$$
U : \Delta^{opp} \longrightarrow \mathcal{C}
$$
\item If $\mathcal{C}$ is the category of sets, then we call
$U$ a {\it simplicial set}.
\item If $\mathcal{C}$ is the category of abelian groups,
then we call $U$ a {\it simplicial abelian group}.
\item A {\it morphism of simplicial objects $U \to U'$}
is a transformation of functors.
\item The {\it category of simplicial objects of $\mathcal{C}$}
is denoted $\text{Simp}(\mathcal{C})$.
\end{enumerate}
\end{definition}
\noindent
This means there are objects $U([0]), U([1]), U([2]), \ldots$
and for $\varphi$ any nondecreasing map $\varphi : [m] \to [n]$
a morphism $U(\varphi) : U([n]) \to U([m])$, satisfying
$U(\varphi \circ \psi) = U(\psi) \circ U(\varphi)$.
\medskip\noindent
In particular there is a unique morphism $U([0]) \to U([n])$ and there are
exactly $n + 1$ morphisms $U([n]) \to U([0])$ corresponding to
the $n + 1$ maps $[0] \to [n]$. Obviously we need some more notation
to be able to talk
intelligently about these simplicial objects. We do this by considering
the morphisms we singled out in Section \ref{section-Delta} above.
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-characterize-simplicial-object}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
\begin{enumerate}
\item Given a simplicial object $U$ in $\mathcal{C}$
we obtain a sequence of objects $U_n = U([n])$ endowed
with the morphisms $d^n_j = U(\delta^n_j) : U_n \to U_{n-1}$ and
$s^n_j = U(\sigma^n_j) : U_n \to U_{n + 1}$. These morphisms
satisfy the opposites of the relations displayed in
Lemma \ref{lemma-relations-face-degeneracy}.
\item Conversely, given a sequence of objects $U_n$ and morphisms
$d^n_j$, $s^n_j$ satisfying these relations there exists a unique
simplicial object $U$ in $\mathcal{C}$ such that $U_n = U([n])$,
$d^n_j = U(\delta^n_j)$, and $s^n_j = U(\sigma^n_j)$.
\item A morphism between simplicial objects $U$ and $U'$
is given by a family of morphisms $U_n \to U'_n$ commuting
with the morphisms $d^n_j$ and $s^n_j$.
\end{enumerate}
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
This follows from Lemma \ref{lemma-face-degeneracy-category}.
\end{proof}
\begin{remark}
\label{remark-relations}
By abuse of notation we sometimes write $d_i : U_n \to U_{n - 1}$
instead of $d^n_i$, and similarly for $s_i : U_n \to U_{n + 1}$.
The relations among the morphisms $d^n_i$ and $s^n_i$
may be expressed as follows:
\begin{enumerate}
\item If $i < j$, then $d_i \circ d_j = d_{j - 1} \circ d_i$.
\item If $i < j$, then $d_i \circ s_j = s_{j - 1} \circ d_i$.
\item We have $\text{id} = d_j \circ s_j = d_{j + 1} \circ s_j$.
\item If $i > j + 1$, then $d_i \circ s_j = s_j \circ d_{i - 1}$.
\item If $i \leq j$, then $s_i \circ s_j = s_{j + 1} \circ s_i$.
\end{enumerate}
This means that whenever the compositions on both the left and the
right are defined then the corresponding equality should hold.
\end{remark}
\noindent
We get a unique morphism $s^0_0 = U(\sigma^0_0) : U_0 \to U_1$ and
two morphisms $d^1_0 = U(\delta^1_0)$, and
$d^1_1 = U(\delta^1_1)$ which are morphisms $U_1 \to U_0$.
There are two morphisms $s^1_0 = U(\sigma^1_0)$, $s^1_1 = U(\sigma^1_1)$
which are morphisms $U_1 \to U_2$. Three morphisms
$d^2_0 = U(\delta^2_0)$, $d^2_1 = U(\delta^2_1)$, $d^2_2 = U(\delta^2_2)$
which are morphisms $U_3 \to U_2$. And so on.
\medskip\noindent
Pictorially we think of $U$ as follows:
$$
\xymatrix{
U_2
\ar@<2ex>[r]
\ar@<0ex>[r]
\ar@<-2ex>[r]
&
U_1
\ar@<1ex>[r]
\ar@<-1ex>[r]
\ar@<1ex>[l]
\ar@<-1ex>[l]
&
U_0
\ar@<0ex>[l]
}
$$
Here the $d$-morphisms are the arrows pointing right and the
$s$-morphisms are the arrows pointing left.
\begin{example}
\label{example-constant-simplicial-object}
The simplest example is the {\it constant} simplicial object with
value $X \in \Ob(\mathcal{C})$. In other words, $U_n = X$ and
all maps are $\text{id}_X$.
\end{example}
\begin{example}
\label{example-fibre-products-simplicial-object}
Suppose that $Y\to X$ is a morphism of $\mathcal{C}$ such that all
the fibred products $Y \times_X Y \times_X \ldots \times_X Y$ exist.
Then we set $U_n$ equal to the $(n + 1)$-fold fibre product,
and we let $\varphi : [n] \to [m]$ correspond to the map
(on ``coordinates'')
$(y_0, \ldots, y_m) \mapsto (y_{\varphi(0)}, \ldots, y_{\varphi(n)})$.
In other words, the map $U_0 = Y \to U_1 = Y \times_X Y$ is the
diagonal map. The two maps $U_1 = Y \times_X Y \to U_0 = Y$ are the
projection maps.
\end{example}
\noindent
Geometrically Example \ref{example-fibre-products-simplicial-object}
above is an important example. It tells us that it is a good
idea to think of the maps $d^n_j : U_n \to U_{n - 1}$
as projection maps (forgetting the $j$th component),
and to think of the maps $s^n_j : U_n \to U_{n + 1}$
as diagonal maps (repeating the $j$th coordinate).
We will return to this in the sections below.
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-si-injective}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
Let $U$ be a simplicial object of $\mathcal{C}$.
Each of the morphisms $s^n_i : U_n \to U_{n + 1}$
has a left inverse. In particular $s^n_i$ is a monomorphism.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
This is true because $d_i^{n + 1} \circ s^n_i = \text{id}_{U_n}$.
\end{proof}
\section{Simplicial objects as presheaves}
\label{section-simplicial-presheaves}
\noindent
Another observation is that we may think of a simplicial
object of $\mathcal{C}$ as a presheaf with values in $\mathcal{C}$
over $\Delta$. See
Sites, Definition \ref{sites-definition-presheaf}.
And in fact, if $U$, $U'$ are simplicial objects
of $\mathcal{C}$, then we have
\begin{equation}
\label{equation-simplicial-set-presheaf}
\Mor(U, U') = \Mor_{\textit{PSh}(\Delta)}(U, U').
\end{equation}
Some of the material below could be replaced by the more
general constructions in the chapter on sites.
However, it seems a clearer picture arises from the
arguments specific to simplicial objects.
\section{Cosimplicial objects}
\label{section-cosimplicial-object}
\noindent
A cosimplicial object of a category $\mathcal{C}$ could
be defined simply as a simplicial object of the
opposite category $\mathcal{C}^{opp}$. This is not
really how the human brain works, so we introduce
them separately here and point out some simple
properties.
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-cosimplicial-object}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
\begin{enumerate}
\item A {\it cosimplicial object $U$ of $\mathcal{C}$}
is a covariant functor $U$ from $\Delta$ to
$\mathcal{C}$, in a formula:
$$
U : \Delta \longrightarrow \mathcal{C}
$$
\item If $\mathcal{C}$ is the category of sets, then we call
$U$ a {\it cosimplicial set}.
\item If $\mathcal{C}$ is the category of abelian groups,
then we call $U$ a {\it cosimplicial abelian group}.
\item A {\it morphism of cosimplicial objects $U \to U'$}
is a transformation of functors.
\item The {\it category of cosimplicial objects of $\mathcal{C}$}
is denoted $\text{CoSimp}(\mathcal{C})$.
\end{enumerate}
\end{definition}
\noindent
This means there are objects $U([0]), U([1]), U([2]), \ldots$
and for $\varphi$ any nondecreasing map $\varphi : [m] \to [n]$
a morphism $U(\varphi) : U([m]) \to U([n])$, satisfying
$U(\varphi \circ \psi) = U(\varphi) \circ U(\psi)$.
\medskip\noindent
In particular there is a unique morphism $U([n]) \to U([0])$ and there are
exactly $n + 1$ morphisms $U([0]) \to U([n])$ corresponding to
the $n + 1$ maps $[0] \to [n]$. Obviously we need some more notation
to be able to talk intelligently about these simplicial objects.
We do this by considering the morphisms we singled out in
Section \ref{section-Delta} above.
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-characterize-cosimplicial-object}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
\begin{enumerate}
\item Given a cosimplicial object $U$ in $\mathcal{C}$
we obtain a sequence of objects $U_n = U([n])$ endowed
with the morphisms $\delta^n_j = U(\delta^n_j) : U_{n - 1} \to U_n$ and
$\sigma^n_j = U(\sigma^n_j) : U_{n + 1} \to U_n$. These morphisms
satisfy the relations displayed in
Lemma \ref{lemma-relations-face-degeneracy}.
\item Conversely, given a sequence of objects $U_n$ and morphisms
$\delta^n_j$, $\sigma^n_j$ satisfying these relations there exists a unique
cosimplicial object $U$ in $\mathcal{C}$ such that $U_n = U([n])$,
$\delta^n_j = U(\delta^n_j)$, and $\sigma^n_j = U(\sigma^n_j)$.
\item A morphism between cosimplicial objects $U$ and $U'$
is given by a family of morphisms $U_n \to U'_n$ commuting
with the morphisms $\delta^n_j$ and $\sigma^n_j$.
\end{enumerate}
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
This follows from Lemma \ref{lemma-face-degeneracy-category}.
\end{proof}
\begin{remark}
\label{remark-relations-cosimplicial}
By abuse of notation we sometimes write $\delta_i : U_{n - 1} \to U_n$
instead of $\delta^n_i$, and similarly for $\sigma_i : U_{n + 1} \to U_n$.
The relations among the morphisms $\delta^n_i$ and $\sigma^n_i$
may be expressed as follows:
\begin{enumerate}
\item If $i < j$, then
$\delta_j \circ \delta_i = \delta_i \circ \delta_{j - 1}$.
\item If $i < j$, then
$\sigma_j \circ \delta_i = \delta_i \circ \sigma_{j - 1}$.
\item We have
$\text{id} = \sigma_j \circ \delta_j = \sigma_j \circ \delta_{j + 1}$.
\item If $i > j + 1$, then
$\sigma_j \circ \delta_i = \delta_{i - 1} \circ \sigma_j$.
\item If $i \leq j$, then
$\sigma_j \circ \sigma_i = \sigma_i \circ \sigma_{j + 1}$.
\end{enumerate}
This means that whenever the compositions on both the left and the
right are defined then the corresponding equality should hold.
\end{remark}
\noindent
We get a unique morphism $\sigma^0_0 = U(\sigma^0_0) : U_1 \to U_0$ and
two morphisms $\delta^1_0 = U(\delta^1_0)$, and
$\delta^1_1 = U(\delta^1_1)$ which are morphisms $U_0 \to U_1$.
There are two morphisms
$\sigma^1_0 = U(\sigma^1_0)$, $\sigma^1_1 = U(\sigma^1_1)$
which are morphisms $U_2 \to U_1$. Three morphisms
$\delta^2_0 = U(\delta^2_0)$, $\delta^2_1 = U(\delta^2_1)$,
$\delta^2_2 = U(\delta^2_2)$
which are morphisms $U_2 \to U_3$. And so on.
\medskip\noindent
Pictorially we think of $U$ as follows:
$$
\xymatrix{
U_0
\ar@<1ex>[r]
\ar@<-1ex>[r]
&
U_1
\ar@<0ex>[l]
\ar@<2ex>[r]
\ar@<0ex>[r]
\ar@<-2ex>[r]
&
U_2
\ar@<1ex>[l]
\ar@<-1ex>[l]
}
$$
Here the $\delta$-morphisms are the arrows pointing right and the
$\sigma$-morphisms are the arrows pointing left.
\begin{example}
\label{example-constant-cosimplicial-object}
The simplest example is the {\it constant} cosimplicial object with
value $X \in \Ob(\mathcal{C})$. In other words, $U_n = X$ and
all maps are $\text{id}_X$.
\end{example}
\begin{example}
\label{example-push-outs-simplicial-object}
Suppose that $Y\to X$ is a morphism of $C$ such that all
the pushouts $Y\amalg_X Y \amalg_X \ldots \amalg_X Y$ exist.
Then we set $U_n$ equal to the $(n + 1)$-fold pushout,
and we let $\varphi : [n] \to [m]$ correspond to the map
$$
(y \text{ in }i\text{th component})
\mapsto
(y \text{ in }\varphi(i)\text{th component})
$$
on ``coordinates''.
In other words, the map $U_1 = Y \amalg_X Y \to U_0 = Y$ is the
identity on each component.
The two maps $U_0 = Y \to U_1 = Y \amalg_X Y$ are the two
natural maps.
\end{example}
\begin{example}
\label{example-simplex-cosimplicial-set}
For every $n \geq 0$ we denote $C[n]$ the cosimplicial set
$$
\Delta \longrightarrow \textit{Sets},\quad
[k] \longmapsto \Mor_{\Delta}([n], [k])
$$
This example is dual to Example \ref{example-simplex-simplicial-set}.
\end{example}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-di-injective}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
Let $U$ be a cosimplicial object of $\mathcal{C}$.
Each of the morphisms $\delta^n_i : U_{n - 1} \to U_n$
has a left inverse. In particular $\delta^n_i$ is a monomorphism.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
This is true because
$\sigma_i^{n - 1} \circ \delta^n_i = \text{id}_{U_n}$
for $j < n$.
\end{proof}
\section{Products of simplicial objects}
\label{section-products}
\noindent
Of course we should define the product of simplicial objects
as the product in the category of simplicial objects. This
may lead to the potentially confusing situation where the product exists
but is not described as below. To avoid this we define the product
directly as follows.
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-product}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
Let $U$ and $V$ be simplicial objects of $\mathcal{C}$.
Assume the products $U_n \times V_n$ exist in $\mathcal{C}$.
The {\it product of $U$ and $V$} is the simplicial object
$U \times V$ defined as follows:
\begin{enumerate}
\item $(U \times V)_n = U_n \times V_n$,
\item $d^n_i = (d^n_i, d^n_i)$, and
\item $s^n_i = (s^n_i, s^n_i)$.
\end{enumerate}
In other words, $U \times V$ is the product of the presheaves
$U$ and $V$ on $\Delta$.
\end{definition}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-product}
If $U$ and $V$ are simplicial objects in the category $\mathcal{C}$,
and if $U \times V$ exists, then we have
$$
\Mor(W, U \times V) =
\Mor(W, U) \times
\Mor(W, V)
$$
for any third simplicial object $W$ of $\mathcal{C}$.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
Omitted.
\end{proof}
\section{Fibre products of simplicial objects}
\label{section-fibre-products}
\noindent
Of course we should define the fibre product of simplicial objects
as the fibre product in the category of simplicial objects. This
may lead to the potentially confusing situation where the
fibre product exists but is not described as below. To avoid
this we define the fibre product directly as follows.
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-fibre-product}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
Let $U, V, W$ be simplicial objects of $\mathcal{C}$.
Let $a : V \to U$, $b : W \to U$ be morphisms.
Assume the fibre products $V_n \times_{U_n} W_n$ exist in $\mathcal{C}$.
The {\it fibre product of $V$ and $W$ over $U$} is the simplicial object
$V \times_U W$ defined as follows:
\begin{enumerate}
\item $(V \times_U W)_n = V_n \times_{U_n} W_n$,
\item $d^n_i = (d^n_i, d^n_i)$, and
\item $s^n_i = (s^n_i, s^n_i)$.
\end{enumerate}
In other words, $V \times_U W$ is the fibre product of the presheaves
$V$ and $W$ over the presheaf $U$ on $\Delta$.
\end{definition}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-fibre-product}
If $U, V, W$ are simplicial objects in the category $\mathcal{C}$,
and if $a : V \to U$, $b : W \to U$ are morphisms
and if $V \times_U W$ exists, then we have
$$
\Mor(T, V \times_U W) =
\Mor(T, V) \times_{\Mor(T, U)}
\Mor(T, W)
$$
for any fourth simplicial object $T$ of $\mathcal{C}$.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
Omitted.
\end{proof}
\section{Pushouts of simplicial objects}
\label{section-push-outs}
\noindent
Of course we should define the pushout of simplicial objects
as the pushout in the category of simplicial objects. This
may lead to the potentially confusing situation where the
pushouts exist but are not as described below. To avoid
this we define the pushout directly as follows.
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-push-out}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
Let $U, V, W$ be simplicial objects of $\mathcal{C}$.
Let $a : U \to V$, $b : U \to W$ be morphisms.
Assume the pushouts $V_n \amalg_{U_n} W_n$ exist in $\mathcal{C}$.
The {\it pushout of $V$ and $W$ over $U$} is the simplicial object
$V\amalg_U W$ defined as follows:
\begin{enumerate}
\item $(V \amalg_U W)_n = V_n \amalg_{U_n} W_n$,
\item $d^n_i = (d^n_i, d^n_i)$, and
\item $s^n_i = (s^n_i, s^n_i)$.
\end{enumerate}
In other words, $V\amalg_U W$ is the pushout of the presheaves
$V$ and $W$ over the presheaf $U$ on $\Delta$.
\end{definition}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-push-out}
If $U, V, W$ are simplicial objects in the category $\mathcal{C}$,
and if $a : U \to V$, $b : U \to W$ are morphisms
and if $V\amalg_U W$ exists, then we have
$$
\Mor(V\amalg_U W, T) =
\Mor(V, T) \times_{\Mor(U, T)}
\Mor(W, T)
$$
for any fourth simplicial object $T$ of $\mathcal{C}$.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
Omitted.
\end{proof}
\section{Products of cosimplicial objects}
\label{section-products-cosimplicial}
\noindent
Of course we should define the product of cosimplicial objects
as the product in the category of cosimplicial objects. This
may lead to the potentially confusing situation where the product exists
but is not described as below. To avoid this we define the product
directly as follows.
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-product-cosimplicial-objects}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
Let $U$ and $V$ be cosimplicial objects of $\mathcal{C}$.
Assume the products $U_n \times V_n$ exist in $\mathcal{C}$.
The {\it product of $U$ and $V$} is the cosimplicial object
$U \times V$ defined as follows:
\begin{enumerate}
\item $(U \times V)_n = U_n \times V_n$,
\item for any $\varphi : [n] \to [m]$ the map
$(U \times V)(\varphi) : U_n \times V_n \to U_m \times V_m$
is the product $U(\varphi) \times V(\varphi)$.
\end{enumerate}
\end{definition}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-product-cosimplicial-objects}
If $U$ and $V$ are cosimplicial objects in the category $\mathcal{C}$,
and if $U \times V$ exists, then we have
$$
\Mor(W, U \times V) =
\Mor(W, U) \times
\Mor(W, V)
$$
for any third cosimplicial object $W$ of $\mathcal{C}$.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
Omitted.
\end{proof}
\section{Fibre products of cosimplicial objects}
\label{section-fibre-products-cosimplicial}
\noindent
Of course we should define the fibre product of cosimplicial objects
as the fibre product in the category of cosimplicial objects. This
may lead to the potentially confusing situation where the product exists
but is not described as below. To avoid this we define the fibre product
directly as follows.
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-fibre-product-cosimplicial-objects}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
Let $U, V, W$ be cosimplicial objects of $\mathcal{C}$.
Let $a : V \to U$ and $b : W \to U$ be morphisms.
Assume the fibre products $V_n \times_{U_n} W_n$ exist in $\mathcal{C}$.
The {\it fibre product of $V$ and $W$ over $U$} is the cosimplicial object
$V \times_U W$ defined as follows:
\begin{enumerate}
\item $(V \times_U W)_n = V_n \times_{U_n} W_n$,
\item for any $\varphi : [n] \to [m]$ the map
$(V \times_U W)(\varphi) : V_n \times_{U_n} W_n \to V_m \times_{U_m} W_m$
is the product $V(\varphi) \times_{U(\varphi)} W(\varphi)$.
\end{enumerate}
\end{definition}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-fibre-product-cosimplicial-objects}
If $U, V, W$ are cosimplicial objects in the category $\mathcal{C}$,
and if $a : V \to U$, $b : W \to U$ are morphisms
and if $V \times_U W$ exists, then we have
$$
\Mor(T, V \times_U W) =
\Mor(T, V) \times_{\Mor(T, U)}
\Mor(T, W)
$$
for any fourth cosimplicial object $T$ of $\mathcal{C}$.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
Omitted.
\end{proof}
\section{Simplicial sets}
\label{section-simplicial-set}
\noindent
Let $U$ be a simplicial set. It is a good idea to think of
$U_0$ as the {\it $0$-simplices}, the set $U_1$ as the
{\it $1$-simplices},
the set $U_2$ as the {\it $2$-simplices}, and so on.
\medskip\noindent
We think of the maps $s^n_j : U_n \to U_{n + 1}$ as
the map that associates to an $n$-simplex $A$ the degenerate
$(n + 1)$-simplex $B$ whose $(j, j + 1)$-edge is collapsed
to the vertex $j$ of $A$. We think of the map $d^n_j : U_n \to U_{n - 1}$
as the map that associates to an $n$-simplex $A$ one of the
faces, namely the face that omits the vertex $j$.
In this way it become possible to visualize the relations
among the maps $s^n_j$ and $d^n_j$ geometrically.
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-terminology-simplicial-sets}
Let $U$ be a simplicial set.
We say $x$ is an {\it $n$-simplex of $U$} to signify that
$x$ is an element of $U_n$. We say that $y$ is the $j$the
{\it face of $x$} to signify that $d^n_jx = y$. We say that
$z$ is the $j$th {\it degeneracy of $x$} if $z = s^n_jx$.
A simplex is called {\it degenerate} if it is the degeneracy
of another simplex.
\end{definition}
\noindent
Here are a few fundamental examples.
\begin{example}
\label{example-simplex-simplicial-set}
For every $n \geq 0$ we denote $\Delta[n]$ the simplicial set
\begin{align*}
\Delta^{opp} & \longrightarrow \textit{Sets} \\
[k] & \longmapsto \Mor_{\Delta}([k], [n])
\end{align*}
We leave it to the reader to verify the following statements.
Every $m$-simplex of $\Delta[n]$ with $m > n$ is degenerate.
There is a unique nondegenerate $n$-simplex of $\Delta[n]$,
namely $\text{id}_{[n]}$.
\end{example}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-simplex-map}
Let $U$ be a simplicial set. Let $n \geq 0$ be an integer.
There is a canonical bijection
$$
\Mor(\Delta[n], U)
\longrightarrow
U_n
$$
which maps a morphism $\varphi$ to the value of $\varphi$
on the unique nondegenerate $n$-simplex of $\Delta[n]$.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
Omitted.
\end{proof}
\begin{example}
\label{example-simplex-category}
Consider the category $\Delta/[n]$ of objects over $[n]$
in $\Delta$, see
Categories, Example \ref{categories-example-category-over-X}.
There is a functor $p : \Delta/[n] \to \Delta$.
The fibre category of $p$ over $[k]$, see
Categories, Section \ref{categories-section-fibred-groupoids},
has as objects the
set $\Delta[n]_k$ of $k$-simplices in $\Delta[n]$, and as
morphisms only identities. For every morphism
$\varphi : [k] \to [l]$ of $\Delta$, and every object $\psi : [l] \to [n]$
in the fibre category over $[l]$ there is a unique
object over $[k]$ with a morphism covering $\varphi$, namely
$\psi \circ \varphi : [k] \to [n]$. Thus $\Delta/[n]$
is fibred in sets over $\Delta$. In other words, we may
think of $\Delta/[n]$ as a presheaf of sets over $\Delta$.
See also, Categories,
Example \ref{categories-example-fibred-category-from-functor-of-points}.
And this presheaf of sets agrees with the simplicial set
$\Delta[n]$. In particular, from Equation
(\ref{equation-simplicial-set-presheaf}) and
Lemma \ref{lemma-simplex-map} above
we get the formula
$$
\Mor_{\textit{PSh}(\Delta)}(\Delta/[n], U) = U_n
$$
for any simplicial set $U$.
\end{example}
\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-product-degenerate}
Let $U$, $V$ be simplicial sets.
Let $a, b \geq 0$ be integers.
Assume every $n$-simplex of $U$ is degenerate if $n > a$.
Assume every $n$-simplex of $V$ is degenerate if $n > b$.
Then every $n$-simplex of $U \times V$ is degenerate
if $n > a + b$.
\end{lemma}
\begin{proof}
Suppose $n > a + b$. Let $(u, v) \in (U \times V)_n = U_n \times V_n$.
By assumption, there exists a $\alpha : [n] \to [a]$ and a
$u' \in U_a$ and a $\beta : [n] \to [b]$ and a $v' \in V_b$
such that $u = U(\alpha)(u')$ and $v = V(\beta)(v')$. Because
$n > a + b$, there exists an $0 \leq i \leq a + b$ such that
$\alpha(i) = \alpha(i + 1)$ and
$\beta(i) = \beta(i + 1)$. It follows immediately
that $(u, v)$ is in the image of $s^{n - 1}_i$.
\end{proof}
\section{Truncated simplicial objects and skeleton functors}
\label{section-skeleton}
\noindent
Let $\Delta_{\leq n}$ denote the full subcategory of
$\Delta$ with objects $[0], [1], [2], \ldots, [n]$.
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-truncated-simplicial-object}
An {\it $n$-truncated simplicial object of $\mathcal{C}$}
is a contravariant functor from $\Delta_{\leq n}$ to
$\mathcal{C}$. A {\it morphism of $n$-truncated
simplicial objects} is a transformation of functors.
We denote the category of $n$-truncated
simplicial objects of $\mathcal{C}$ by
the symbol $\text{Simp}_n(\mathcal{C})$.
\end{definition}
\noindent
Given a simplicial object $U$ of $\mathcal{C}$
the truncation $\text{sk}_n U$ is the restriction
of $U$ to the subcategory $\Delta_{\leq n}$.
This defines a {\it skeleton functor}
$$
\text{sk}_n :
\text{Simp}(\mathcal{C}) \longrightarrow \text{Simp}_n(\mathcal{C})
$$
from the category of simplicial objects of $\mathcal{C}$
to the category of $n$-truncated simplicial objects of $\mathcal{C}$.
See Remark \ref{remark-sk-literature} to avoid possible confusion
with other functors in the literature.
\section{Products with simplicial sets}
\label{section-product-with-simplicial-sets}
\noindent
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category.
Let $U$ be a simplicial set.
Let $V$ be a simplicial object of $\mathcal{C}$.
We can consider the covariant functor which associates
to a simplicial object $W$ of $\mathcal{C}$
the set
\begin{equation}
\label{equation-functor-product-with-simplicial-set}
\left\{
(f_{n, u} : V_n \to W_n)_{n \geq 0, u \in U_n}
\text{ such that }
\begin{matrix}
\forall \varphi : [m] \to [n] \\
f_{m, U(\varphi)(u)} \circ V(\varphi) = W(\varphi) \circ f_{n, u}
\end{matrix}
\right\}
\end{equation}
If this functor is of the form
$\Mor_{\text{Simp}(\mathcal{C})}(Q, -)$
then we can think of $Q$ as the product of $U$ with $V$.
Instead of formalizing this in this way we just directly
define the product as follows.
\begin{definition}
\label{definition-product-with-simplicial-set}
Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a category such that the coproduct of
any two objects of $\mathcal{C}$ exists. Let
$U$ be a simplicial set. Let $V$ be a simplicial
object of $\mathcal{C}$. Assume that each $U_n$ is
finite nonempty. In this case we define
the {\it product $U \times V$ of $U$ and $V$}
to be the simplicial object of $\mathcal{C}$ whose
$n$th term is the object
$$
(U \times V)_n = \coprod\nolimits_{u\in U_n} V_n
$$
with maps for $\varphi : [m] \to [n]$ given by the
morphism
$$
\coprod\nolimits_{u\in U_n} V_n
\longrightarrow
\coprod\nolimits_{u'\in U_m} V_m
$$
which maps the component $V_n$ corresponding to $u$ to the