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TheoremStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedprecheck passaudited 2026-08-13
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Assuming Choice, precomposition with a final functor does not change colimits, and precomposition with an initial functor does not change limits

Statement

Assume Choice. Let u:A→B be final between small categories and let F:B→C. Then F has a colimit if and only if Fu has a colimit, and in that event the canonical map

colim⁡a∈AF(u(a))⟶colim⁡b∈BF(b)

is an isomorphism. Dually, restriction along an initial functor does not change limits.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The final functor u and diagram F in the statement.

[F1]

Finality means every (b↓u) is nonempty and connected (Final and initial functors via nonempty connected comma categories).

[F2]

A colimit is an initial cocone, characterized by a unique map to every cocone (Limits and colimits as terminal cones and initial cocones, with existence and uniqueness in their universal properties).

[F3]

Choice selects one object from every member of a set-indexed family of nonempty sets (The Axiom of Choice).

Proof

technique · identify cocones
1.1F1F3

Restriction sends a cocone ρb:F(b)→X to ρu(a):F(u(a))→X. Conversely, from a cocone λ over Fu, use [F1] and [F3] to choose for each b an object (ab,βb:b→u(ab)) and put λˉb=λabF(βb).

1.2F1given

If h:(a,β)→(a′,β′) is a comma morphism, then u(h)β=β′ and the cocone equation gives λa′F(β′)=λaF(β). A finite zigzag therefore proves that λˉb is independent of the chosen comma object.

2.1step 1.2

For r:b→b′, choose a comma object (a,β:b′→u(a)) for b′. Then (a,βr) is one for b, so step 1.2 gives λˉb=λˉb′F(r). Thus λˉ is a cocone over F.

3.1step 1.1step 1.2step 2.1

Restricting λˉ at u(a) and using (a,1u(a)) returns λa. Extending the restriction of ρ returns ρb by its cocone equation. Hence restriction is a bijection between cocones over F and over Fu, natural in their apex.

4.1F2L1step 3.1

By [F2], an initial object represents either naturally identical cocone assignment exactly when it represents the other. Thus either colimit exists if and only if the other does. When both are chosen, [L1] identifies the induced canonical map as their unique compatible isomorphism.

5.1L2step 1.1step 1.2step 2.1step 3.1step 4.1∎

Applying [L2] to steps 1.1 to 2.1 replaces (b↓u) by the comma categories for an initial functor and proves the limit assertion, including both directions of existence.

Depends on

Used by

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Sources