A note on the factorization theorem of toric birational maps after Morelli and its toroidal extension

Abstract

The recent two proofs for the (weak) factorization theorem for birational maps, one by Włodarczyk and the other by Abramovich-Karu-Matsuki-Włodarczyk rely on the results of Morelli. The former uses the process for $π$-desingularization (the most subtle part of Morelli's combinatorial algorithm), while the latter uses the strong factorization of toric (toroidal) birational maps directly. This paper provides a coherent account of Morelli's work (and its toroidal extension) clarifying some discrepancies in the original argument.