A Countable Extension Basis Theorem and its applications (Q5936523)

An extension problem on a space \(X\) with respect to space \(K\) is a homotopy class of maps \([\varphi: A\to K]\), where \(A\) is a closed subset of \(X\). A solution of the extension problem \([\varphi]\) is a map \(f:X\to K\) with \(f|_A= \varphi\). An extension problem is said to be solvable if there exists a solution. When a space \(X\) admits a solution of any extension problem with respect to a given space \(K\), the condition is denoted by e-dim \(X\leq K\) on \(X\tau K\). It is folklore that for a compact metric space \(X\) and a countable complex \(K\) the set \([X,K]\) of homotopy classes of maps is countable. Hence for such \(X\) and \(K\) there exists a countable family \(\{f_i: C_i\to K\}\) of maps of closed subsets \(C_i\subset X\) such that if all problems \(\{f_i: C_i\to K\}\) are solvable, then e-dim \(X\leq K\). In this paper the authors investigate a characterization for e-dim \(X\leq K\) of an arbitrary subset \(X\) of the Hilbert cube \(Q\) and a countable complex \(K\). Namely, let \({\mathcal C}\) be the set of all extension problems relative to \(X\) with respect to \(K\) defined on some countable additively closed basis \({\mathcal B}\) in \(Q\). Then e-dim \(X\leq K\) if and only if \({\mathcal C}\) admits a tower of solvable extension problems relative to \(X\). Using the characterization, they showed that for every countable complex \(K\) there is a \(K\)-soft map \(\xi_K: Y_k\to Q\) of a complete separable metric space with e-dim \(Y_K\leq K\) onto the Hilbert cube. As its application they obtain Olszewski's completion theorem [\textit{W. Olszewski}, Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 123, No. 7, 2261-2264 (1995; Zbl 0838.54021)]. They also give an alternative proof to the splitting theorem in extension theory for noncompact spaces by \textit{A. N. Dranishnikov} and \textit{J. Dydak} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 353, No. 1, 133-156 (2001; Zbl 0955.55002)].