The properties and applications of relative homotopy (Q306147)

In the paper under review, the author introduces the notion of relative homotopy. For a given map \(g: Z\to X\), two maps \(f_1, f_2: X\to Y\) are said to be \(g\)-homotopic if \(f_1\circ g\) and \(f_2\circ g\) are homotpic. For a class of maps \(\mathbb D\), \(f_1, f_2: X\to Y\) are said to be \(\mathbb D\)-homotopic if \(f_1, f_2\) are \(g\)-homotopic fo some \(g\in{\mathbb D}\). Taking different classes for \(\mathbb D\), one obtains different classifications. For example, \(\mathbb H\)-homotopy with \(\mathbb H\) being the class of homeomorphisms (onto \(X\)) coincides with the usual homotopy, and \(\mathbb {CE}\)-homotopy with \(\mathbb {CE}\) being the class of cell-like maps gives a weaker classification. The author shows that relative homotopy is an equivalence relation while the homotopy of multivalued u.s.c. maps is not, and that relative homotopy has properties similar to the ones of usual homotopy. For example, the homotopy extension theorem holds for relative homotopy. The author also gives applications to fixed point theory, the theory of coincidences and to acyclic sets.