Homology of linear groups via cycles in \(BG\times X\) (Q1878423)

Let \(G\) be an algebraic group, \(X\) a variety, \(A\) an abelian group. Following a suggestion of Suslin, the authors define homology and cohomology groups, written \(\mathcal H_i(X,G;A)\) and \(\mathcal H^i(X,G;A)\) respectively, by considering algebraic cycles on the simplicial scheme \(BG\times X\). When \(X\) is the spectrum of an algebraically closed field \(k\), \(\mathcal H_i(X,G;A)\) is just the homology \(H_i(G(k);A)\) of the discrete group \(G(k)\). If \(n\) is invertible in \(k\) the authors construct a spectral sequence \( E_1^{s,t}=\mathcal H^s(\Delta^t,G;\mathbb Z/n)\Rightarrow H_{\text{ét}}^{s+t}(BG_k,\mathbb Z/n)\). The theory is eminently suitable to study Friedlander's Generalized Isomorphism Conjecture relating `discrete' and `continuous' group cohomology [\textit{E. M. Friedlander} and \textit{G. Mislin}, Comment. Math. Helv. 59, 347--361 (1984; Zbl 0548.55016)]. The authors illustrate this with several examples. The case where \(k=\mathbb R\) is particularly instructive.