On the algebraic \(K\)-theory of model categories (Q1878463)

Model categories in \textit{D. G. Quillen}'s sense [``Homotopical algebra'', Lect. Notes Math. 43 (1967; Zbl 0168.20903)] provide a powerful tool to study abstract homotopy theory. In this paper, the structure of this kind of categories is exploited in order to compare the algebraic K-theory of suitable subcategories of model categories. To do that, the author replaces \textit{F. Waldhausen}'s hypothesis on the existence of a cylinder functor [Lect. Notes Math. 1126, 318--419 (1985; Zbl 0579.18006)] by a weaker condition on factorization of maps, in order that a functor of categories with cofibrations and weak equivalences induces an equivalence in the algebraic K-theory. Applications of this result are then given, to subcategories of cofibrant objects of a broad class of model categories (including simplicial sets and symmetric spectra), and also to certain functors, between suitable full subcategories of pointed model categories, inducing an equivalence of homotopy categories.