Binary operations for homotopy groups with coefficients (Q1989886)

Let $G$ be an abelian group, $n\ge 2$ an integer and $M(G,n)$ a Moore space of type $(G,n)$. The $n$-th homotopy group of a space $X$ with coefficients in $G$, denoted by $\pi_n(X;G)$, is defined to be $[M(G,n),X]$. \par Given abelian groups $G_1,G_2$ and $G_3$, and integers $q_1, q_2$, and $q_3$, recall that a \textit{(binary)} operation of type $\{G_1,G_2,G_3;\,q_1,q_2,q_3\}$ is a function $T$ which, for every space $X$ and integers $q_1,q_2\ge 2$, assigns to each $\alpha\in \pi_{q_1}(X;G_1)$ and $\beta\in \pi_{q_2}(X;G_2)$, an element $T(\alpha, \beta) \in \pi_{q_3}(X;G_3)$ (also written as $T_X(\alpha,\beta)$) such that if $f : X \to Y$ is a map then $f_\sharp T_X(\alpha,\beta) = T_Y (f_\sharp(\alpha), f_\sharp(\beta))$. \par In the paper under review, binary operations for homotopy groups with coefficients are studied, and conditions to prove that certain binary operations are the homomorphic image of the generalized Whitehead product are given. A class of operations, called basic operations, is defined to unify \textit{P. J. Hilton}'s [Homotopy theory and duality. London: Thomas Nelson and Sons, Ltd (1967; Zbl 0155.50801)] treatment of Whitehead products and torsion products. Then, a new class of operations called $Ext$ operations is also defined and some of its properties are determined. \par At the end, the difference between using Moore spaces and co-Moore spaces to obtain coefficients is discussed.