Simplicial inverse sequences in extension theory

Abstract

In extension theory, in particular in dimension theory, it is frequently useful to represent a given compact metrizable space X as the limit of an inverse sequence of compact polyhedra. We are going to show that, for the purposes of extension theory, it is possible to replace such an X by a better metrizable compactum Z. This Z will come as the limit of an inverse sequence of triangulated polyhedra with simplicial bonding maps that factor in a certain way. There will be a cell-like map from Z to X, and we shall show that if K is a CW-complex which is an absolute extensor for X, then K is also an absolute extensor for Z.