A purely homotopy-theoretic proof of the Blakers-Massey theorem for \(n\)-cubes (Q740183)

The Blakers-Massey theorem for squares, also called the triad connectivity theorem, says that to some extent homotopy groups have an excision property. The theorem has an extension to \(n\)-cubes, also called the \((n+1)\)-ad connectivity theorem. \textit{T. G. Goodwillie} [\(K\)-Theory 5, No. 4, 295--332 (1992; Zbl 0776.55008)], has given a proof of this extension using formal machinery together with a lemma (Lemma 2.7) based on a transversality argument. In the present paper the author gives a proof of this lemma using only elementary homotopy theory, in particular subdivision. This results in a proof of the Blakers-Massey theorem using only formal machinery and elementary homotopy theory.