Chain homotopy projections (Q1119733)

If \(C_*\) is a finitely generated complex of free modules over a ring R, and p an endomorphism with \(p^ 2\) chain homotopic to p then, up to homotopy, p is a projection onto a subcomplex \(D_*\) of projective modules, which defines a class x in \(K_ 0(R)\) depending only on p and the chain homotopy. The authors develop an abstract theory of the construction of x, and describe relations with earlier work by several authors, including the topological case when p is induced by a self-map of a finite CW-complex. Here complete results are only obtained when p preserves a base point and induces the identity on the fundamental group. There is a direct construction of a module with class x (due to Ranicki); and the theory simplifies in the important case when p(1-p) is nilpotent.