text:
#### Translator’s note

Borel, A. and Serre, J-.P. “Le théorème de Riemann–Roch.” Bulletin de la Société Mathématique de France 86 (1958), 97–136. DOI: 10.24033/bsmf.1500.

The translator (Tim Hosgood) takes full responsibility for any errors introduced, and claims no rights to any of the mathematical content herein.

Version: 54cd812

([Trans.] In the original article, subsections were numbered e.g. 5.a, 5.b, …; here they are numbered 5.1, 5.2, …)

# Introduction

What follows constitutes the notes from a seminar that took place in Princeton in the autumn of 1957 on the works of Grothendieck; the new results that are included are due to Grothendieck; our contribution is solely of an editorial nature.

The “Riemann–Roch theorem” of which we speak here holds true for (non-singular) algebraic varieties over a field of arbitrary characteristic; in the classical case, where the base field is \mathbb{C}, this theorem encapsulates, as a particular example, the result proven a few years ago by Hirzebruch [10].

The full statement and proof of the Riemann–Roch theorem can be found in sections 7 to 16, with the last section being devoted to an application. Sections 1 to 6 contain some preliminaries on coherent algebraic sheaves [12]. The terminology that we follow is the same as in [12], up to one difference: to conform with a custom which is becoming more and more widespread, we use the word “morphism” instead of “regular map.”

# 1 Supplementary results concerning sheaves

(All the varieties considered below are algebraic varieties over an algebraically closed field k of arbitrary characteristic. Unless otherwise mentioned, all the sheaves considered are coherent algebraic sheaves.)

Let U be an open subset of a variety V, and let {\mathscr{F}} be a coherent sheaf on V and {\mathscr{G}} a coherent subsheaf of {\mathscr{F}}|U (the restriction of {\mathscr{F}} to U). Then there exists a coherent sheaf {\mathscr{G}}'\subset{\mathscr{F}} such that {\mathscr{G}}'|U={\mathscr{G}}.

(In fact, the proof will show that there exists a largest such sheaf having this property.)

Proof. For every open subset W\subset V, we define {\mathscr{G}}'_W as the set of sections of {\mathscr{F}} over W that belong to {\mathscr{G}} over U\cap W. Everything reduces to showing that the sheaf {\mathscr{G}}' associated to this presheaf is coherent. Since this is a local question, we can suppose that V is an affine variety. Let A be its coordinate ring. There exist elements f_i\in A such that U=\bigcup V_{f_i}, where V_{f_i}=U_i denotes the set of points of V where f_i\neq0. If, in the definition of {\mathscr{G}}', we replace the open subset U by the open subset U_i, then we obtain a sheaf {\mathscr{G}}'_i\subset{\mathscr{F}}, and it is clear that {\mathscr{G}}'=\bigcap{\mathscr{G}}'_i. By known results on coherent sheaves [12], it suffices to show that the {\mathscr{G}}'_i are coherent. We can thus restrict to considering the case where V is affine, and where U=V_f, for some f\in A. In this case, the sheaf {\mathscr{F}} is defined by an A-module M, and the subsheaf {\mathscr{G}} of {\mathscr{F}}|U is defined by a submodule N of M_f=M\otimes_A A_f. Let N' be the inverse image of N in M under the canonical map M\to M_f. The module N' then corresponds to a coherent subsheaf of {\mathscr{F}}, and we can immediately verify (by taking the V_{f'} to be the W, for example) that this sheaf is exactly {\mathscr{G}}', which finishes the proof.

Let U be an open subset of an affine variety V, and let {\mathscr{F}} be a (coherent) sheaf on U. Then {\mathscr{F}} is generated by its sections (over U).

Proof. Let x\in U, and let f be a regular function on V, zero on V\setminus U and non-zero at x. We have V_f\subset U\subset V. Since V_f is affine, we know [12] that {\mathscr{F}}_x is generated by its sections over V_f, and it thus suffices to prove that these sections can be extended to U, after multiplying by a suitable power of f. This follows from the following more general lemma:

Let X be a variety, f a regular function on X, {\mathscr{F}} a sheaf on X, and s a section of {\mathscr{F}} over U=X_f. Then there exists an integer n>0 such that f^ns can be extended to a section of {\mathscr{F}} over X.

Proof. We can cover X by finitely many affine opens X_i. By applying [12, Lemma 1, p. 247], or by arguing directly (as in Proposition 1), we see that there exists an integer n and sections s_i of {\mathscr{F}} over the X_i that extend f^ns over X_i\cap U. Since the s_i-s_j are zero on X_i\cap X_j\cap U, there exists an integer m such that f^m(s_i-s_j)=0 on X_i\cap X_j ([12], or arguing directly), and m can be chosen independent of the pair (i,j). The f^ms_i then define a section s' of {\mathscr{F}} over X that indeed extend f^{n+m}s.

If U is an open subset of a variety V, then every sheaf {\mathscr{F}} over U can be extended to V.

Proof. We show that, if U\neq V, we can extend {\mathscr{F}} to an open subset U'\supset U, with U'\neq U; from that fact that every (strictly) increasing chain of open subsets stabilises, this will imply the proposition. Let x\in V\setminus U, and let W be an affine open that contains x; let U'=W\cup U. We are thus led to extending the sheaf {\mathscr{F}}|W\cap U to W, or, in other words, we can restrict to proving the proposition in the specific case where V is affine. In this case, Lemma 1 shows that {\mathscr{F}} is generated by its sections, i.e. it is of the form {\mathscr{L}}/{\mathscr{R}}, where {\mathscr{L}} is the direct sum of the sheaves {\mathscr{O}}_U. The sheaf {\mathscr{L}} can be extended in the obvious way to V, and, by Proposition 1, there exists a subsheaf {\mathscr{R}}' of {\mathscr{L}} on V whose restriction to U is {\mathscr{R}}. The sheaf {\mathscr{L}}/{\mathscr{R}}' is then the desired extension.

Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 correspond to the geometric fact that the closure of any algebraic subvariety of U is an algebraic subvariety of V. These propositions do not extend as is to the analytic case. The most we can hope for (by results of Rothstein) is that they still hold true if we make certain restrictions on the dimensions of V\setminus U and the varieties appearing in the local primary decomposition of the sheaf {\mathscr{F}}.

# 2 Proper maps of quasi-projective varieties

A variety X is said to be quasi-projective if it is isomorphic to a locally closed subvariety of a projective space. It is said to be projective if it is isomorphic to a closed subvariety of a projective space. From here on in, all the varieties considered are assumed to be quasi-projective.

Let \mathbf{P} be a projective space, U an arbitrary variety, and G a closed subset of \mathbf{P}\times U. Then the projection of G in U is closed.

This is a translation into geometric language of the well-known fact that a projective space is a “complete” variety, in the sense of Weil. We briefly recall the principal of the proof:

Proof. Since the question is local with respect to U, we can assume that U is affine, and even that U is as affine open of the space k^n. We can also assume that G is irreducible. So we choose projective coordinates x_i in \mathbf{P} such that G meets the set \mathbf{P}_0\times U of points where x_0\neq0. If A denotes the coordinate ring of U, then the coordinate ring of the affine variety \mathbf{P}_0\times U is A[x_i/x_0]=B_0; the set G defines (and is defined by) a prime ideal \mathfrak{p} of B_0. If \mathfrak{p}' denotes A\cap\mathfrak{p}, then the prime ideal \mathfrak{p}' corresponds to the closure of the projection G' of G in U. A point in this closure is thus a homomorphism f\colon A\to k (where k denotes the base field) that is zero on \mathfrak{p}'; this point is the image of a point in G that lies in \mathbf{P}_0\times U if and only if f can be extended to a homomorphism g\colon B_0\to k that is zero on \mathfrak{p}. So let L be the field of functions of G; the field L contains A/\mathfrak{p}' as a subring. By the theorem of extension of specialisations, there exists a valuation v of L, with values in k, that extends f. Let \Phi be the place associated to this valuation. If v(x_i/x_0)\geqslant 0 for all i, then the place \Phi is finite over the x_i/x_0, and thus induces, on B_0/\mathfrak{p}\subset L, a homomorphism g that extends f. If v(x_i/x_0)<0 for some i, then we replace x_0 by the x_i that gives the smallest possible value of v(x_i/x_0), and we are then back in the previous case.

If f\colon X\to Y is a morphism, then we write G_f to denote its graph. It is trivial that G_f is closed in X\times Y.

Let f\colon X\to Y and g\colon Y\to Z be morphisms, where X and Y are subvarieties of projective spaces \mathbf{P} and \mathbf{P}' (respectively). Suppose that G_f is closed in P\times Y, and that G_g is closed in \mathbf{P}'\times Z. Then G_{gf} is closed in \mathbf{P}\times Z.

Proof. We have G_f \subset \mathbf{P}\times Y = \mathbf{P}\times G_g \subset \mathbf{P}\times \mathbf{P}'\times Z, and since each one is closed in the next, we see that G_f can be identified with a closed subset of \mathbf{P}\times \mathbf{P}'\times Z. Since G_{gf} is exactly the projection of G_f to the factor \mathbf{P}\times Z, the lemma follows from Lemma 3.

Let f\colon X\to Y be a morphism, and let X\subset \mathbf{P} and X\subset \mathbf{P}' be embeddings of X into projective spaces. If G_f is closed in \mathbf{P}\times Y, then it is also closed in \mathbf{P}'\times Y.

Proof. We apply Lemma 4 to the morphisms X\xrightarrow{i}X\xrightarrow{f}Y, where i denotes the identity morphism. Everything then reduces to showing that the graph G_i of i in \mathbf{P}\times X is closed, which follows from the fact that it is given by the intersection of \mathbf{P}\times X with the diagonal of \mathbf{P}\times \mathbf{P}.

Lemma 5 justifies the following definition:

A map f\colon X\to Y is said to be proper if it is a morphism and if its graph G_f is closed in \mathbf{P}\times Y, where \mathbf{P} is a projective space containing X.

We can give a definition of proper maps that is analogous to the definition of complete varieties:

For a morphism f\colon X\to Y to be proper, it is necessary and sufficient, for every variety Z and every closed subset T of X\times Z, for the image of T in Y\times Z to be closed.

Proof. Let \mathbf{P} be a projective space inside which X can be embedded; since G_f is closed in \mathbf{P}\times Y, the product G_f\times Z is closed in \mathbf{P}\times Y\times Z, and so T can be embedded as a closed subset into \mathbf{P}\times Y\times Z. Applying Lemma 3, we see that the projection of T to Y\times Z (which is exactly (f\times1)(T)) is closed. Conversely, suppose that this property holds true, and apply it to Z=\mathbf{P}, with the set T being the diagonal of X\times X, embedded into X\times \mathbf{P}. The image of T in Y\times Z=Y\times \mathbf{P} is then exactly G_f, which is indeed closed.

1. The identity morphism i\colon X\to X is proper.
2. The composition of two proper maps is proper.
3. The direct product of two proper maps is proper.
4. The image of a closed subset by a proper map is a closed subset.
5. An injection Y\to X is proper if and only if Y is closed in X.
6. Every morphism from a projective variety is proper.
7. A projection Y\times Z\to Y is proper if and only if Z is projective (assuming the variety Y to be non-empty).

Proof. We indicate, as an example, how to prove (vii) (since the other claims are even easier to prove). If Z is projective, then we apply the criteria of Proposition 3; so let Z' be an arbitrary variety, and T a closed subset of Y\times Z\times Z'; we need to show that the projection of T in Y\times Z' is closed, which follows from Lemma 3. Conversely, if Y\times Z\to Y is proper, then the composition Z\to Y\times Z\to Y is proper. Since the image of this map is a point, we immediately deduce that Z is projective (by returning to the definition).

([Trans.] The following corollary is labelled “Corollary 5” in the original, but this seems to be a numbering error).

For a morphism f\colon X\to Y to be proper, it is necessary and sufficient for it to factor as X\to \mathbf{P}\times Y\to Y, where X\to \mathbf{P}\times Y is an injection into a closed subvariety, and \mathbf{P}\times Y\to Y is the projection onto the second factor (where \mathbf{P} denotes some projective space).

Proof. By the definition of a proper map, this condition is necessary (if we take \mathbf{P} to be a projective space into which we can embed X). It is sufficient by (ii), (v), and (vii).

Suppose that the base field k is the field of complex numbers. For a morphism f\colon X\to Y to be proper (in the above sense), it is necessary and sufficient for it to be proper (in the topological sense) when we endow X and Y with the “usual” topology.

Proof. Suppose that f is proper in the algebraic sense, and let K be a compact subset of Y (for the usual topology). Suppose that X is embedded into some projective space \mathbf{P}. Since \mathbf{P} is compact, we know that f^{-1}(K)=G_f\cap(\mathbf{P}\times K) is compact, which shows that f is proper in the topological sense. Conversely, assume that this condition is satisfied, and aim to prove that the condition of Proposition 3 is satisfied: the image of T in Y\times Z is closed for the usual topology, and thus also for the Zariski topology [13, Proposition 7, p. 12].

The notion of a proper map can be extended to “abstract” (that is, non-quasi-projective) varieties: it suffices to take the criteria of Proposition 3 as a definition [4]. Proposition 4 and Proposition 5 still hold true (if we replace “projective” with “complete” in item (vii) of Proposition 4). The proofs are essentially the same: instead of using embeddings into projective spaces, we use the fact that every variety is the image of a quasi-projective variety under a proper map (Chow’s lemma [4,14].

# 3 Image of a sheaf under a proper map

Let f\colon X\to Y be a morphism, with Y a variety, and let {\mathscr{F}} be a (coherent algebraic, as always) sheaf on X. We define, by the classical procedure of Leray, sheaves \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}}) on Y by setting \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}})_U = \mathrm{H}^q(f^{-1}(U),{\mathscr{F}}) \quad\text{for every open subset }U\text{ of }Y. For q=0, we have the sheaf associated to the presheaf given by the \mathrm{H}^0(f^{-1}(U),{\mathscr{F}}); this is the direct image of the sheaf {\mathscr{F}}. We can show [8] that the \mathrm{R}^qf are the derived functors of the functor {\mathscr{F}}\to\mathrm{R}^0f({\mathscr{F}}) (where {\mathscr{F}} runs over the category of all sheaves on X, coherent or not).

1. If X\to Y is an injection of a closed subvariety, then the sheaf \mathrm{R}^0f({\mathscr{F}}) is exactly the sheaf {\mathscr{F}} extended by 0 outside of X, and the sheaves \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}}), for q\geqslant 1, are zero (let U be an affine open; then f^{-1}(U)=U\cap X is affine, whence \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}})=0).

2. Let Y be a point. A sheaf on a point is simply a group (or a k-vector space, if we are talking about algebraic sheaves). The \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}}) are then simply the cohomology groups \mathrm{H}^q(X,{\mathscr{F}}); we note that these are not necessarily vector spaces of finite dimension (or, in other words, not necessarily coherent sheaves on Y).

3. Suppose that f\colon X\to Y defines a birational isomorphism between the varieties X and Y (assumed to be projective and non-singular). Take {\mathscr{F}} to be the sheaf {\mathscr{O}}_X of local rings of X; we immediately see that \mathrm{R}^0f({\mathscr{O}}_X)={\mathscr{O}}_Y. Is it true that \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{O}}_X)=0 for q\geqslant 1? We can at least verify this for “blow-ups,” and it would be interesting to know the answer in the general case.

We note that Leray’s theory can be translated without any changes (see [8]); there is a spectral sequence abutting \mathrm{H}^\bullet(X,{\mathscr{F}}), and with E_2^{p,q}=\mathrm{H}^p(Y,\mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}})). If we apply, for example, this spectral sequence to Example 3 above, then we see that \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{O}}_X)=0 for q\geqslant 1 implies that \mathrm{H}^\bullet(X,{\mathscr{O}}_X)=\mathrm{H}^\bullet(Y,{\mathscr{O}}_Y).

We have seen (Example 2) that the \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}}) are not, in general, coherent sheaves on Y. However:

If f\colon X\to Y is proper, then the \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}}), for q>0, are coherent sheaves on Y, for any coherent sheaf {\mathscr{F}} on X.

Let \mathbf{P} be a projective space into which we can embed X, and let G_f be the graph of f in \mathbf{P}\times Y. By definition of what it means to be a proper map, G_f is closed in \mathbf{P}\times Y. Let {\mathscr{F}}' be the sheaf on \mathbf{P}\times Y obtained by extending {\mathscr{F}} by 0 outside of G_f=X (see Example 2); if \pi denotes the projection from \mathbf{P}\times Y to Y, then we immediately see that \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{F}}')=\mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}}). We can thus restrict to proving Theorem 1 for \pi\colon \mathbf{P}\times Y\to Y. Furthermore, since the question is local with respect to Y, we can assume that Y is an affine variety.

On \mathbf{P} we have a “standard” bundle L of dimension 1, whose sections are the linear forms (see [12, Chap. III, §2]); this fibre defines a fibre on X=\mathbf{P}\times Y that we denote also by L. The sheaf associated to L^n on \mathbf{P}\times Y will be denoted {\mathscr{O}}_X(n). We then have:

Every coherent algebraic sheaf {\mathscr{F}} on X=\mathbf{P}\times Y, with Y affine, is isomorphic to a quotient of some direct sum of sheaves of the form {\mathscr{O}}_X(n).

Proof. When Y consists of a single point, this is [12, Théorème 1, p. 247]. We are going to reduce to this particular case: let Y\subset\mathbf{P}' be an embedding of Y into a projective space, and let \overline{Y} be the closure of Y. By Proposition 2, the sheaf {\mathscr{F}} can be extended to a sheaf \overline{{\mathscr{F}}} on \mathbf{P}\times\overline{Y}. The embedding of \overline{Y} into \mathbf{P}' defines, on \overline{Y} (and thus also on \mathbf{P}\times\overline{Y}), a bundle L' of dimension 1. The product bundle LL' corresponds to the well known embedding of \mathbf{P}\times\mathbf{P}' into a projective space P'' (the “Segre” embedding, given by the products x_i y_j of the homogeneous coordinates of the two projective spaces). Then applying the result from [12] cited above to \overline{{\mathscr{F}}} and \mathbf{P}'', we see that \overline{{\mathscr{F}}} is a quotient of a direct sum of sheaves of the form {\mathscr{O}}_{\mathbf{P}\times\overline{Y}}(L^nL'^n); by restricting to \mathbf{P}\times Y, and taking into account the fact that \mathbf{P}' is trivial on Y, we indeed obtain the desired result.

[Of course, we could also give a direct proof, copied from the one in [12].]

The \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{O}}_X(n)) are coherent sheaves on Y.

Proof. We explicitly calculate the sheaves \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{O}}_X(n)). If U is an affine open subset of Y, then \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{O}}_X(n))_U = \mathrm{H}^q(\mathbf{P}\times U,{\mathscr{O}}_X(n)).

If \mathfrak{U}=\{U_i\} is an affine cover of \mathbf{P}, then the U_i\times U form an affine cover \mathfrak{U}' of \mathbf{P}\times U; taking into account the fact that {\mathscr{O}}_X(n) “comes from” \mathbf{P}, we see that the complex C(\mathfrak{U}',{\mathscr{O}}_X(n)) is isomorphic to the tensor product C(\mathfrak{U}',{\mathscr{O}}_{\mathbf{P}}(n))\otimes_k\mathrm{H}^0(U,{\mathscr{O}}_U). The universal coefficient formula then shows that \mathrm{H}^q(\mathbf{P}\times U,{\mathscr{O}}_X(n)) = \mathrm{H}^q(\mathbf{P},{\mathscr{O}}_{\mathbf{P}}(n))\otimes_k\mathrm{H}^0(U,{\mathscr{O}}_U).

This latter equality implies that \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{O}}_X(n)) is isomorphic to the sheaf {\mathscr{O}}_Y\otimes_k V^q, where V^q=\mathrm{H}^q(\mathbf{P},{\mathscr{O}}_P(n)). Since V^q is a vector space of finite dimension over k, it is indeed a coherent sheaf on Y, which proves the lemma.

[The above proof applies more generally to any projection \pi\colon Y\times Z\to Y with Z projective, whenever the sheaf {\mathscr{F}} is of the form {\mathscr{G}}\otimes{\mathscr{H}}, with {\mathscr{G}} coherent on Y and {\mathscr{H}} coherent on Z. We then find that \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{F}})={\mathscr{G}}\otimes\mathrm{H}^q(Z,{\mathscr{H}}). We could consider, even more generally, the case of a product map Y\times Z\to Y'\times Z' …]

Proof. (of Theorem 1). We can now prove Theorem 1 for an arbitrary sheaf {\mathscr{F}} on X=\mathbf{P}\times Y. We argue by decreasing induction on the integer q. If q>\dim X, then it is clear that \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{F}})=0. So suppose that the theorem is proven for q+1. By Lemma 6, there exists an exact sequence 0\to{\mathscr{R}}\to{\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{F}}\to0, where {\mathscr{L}} is isomorphic to a direct sum of sheaves of the form {\mathscr{O}}_X(n). The exact sequence of cohomology (or the exact sequence of derived functors) shows that we have an exact sequence \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{R}}) \to \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{L}}) \to \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{F}}) \to \mathrm{R}^{q+1}\pi({\mathscr{R}}) \to \mathrm{R}^{q+1}\pi({\mathscr{L}}).

Given the induction hypothesis and Lemma 7, the sheaves \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{L}}), \mathrm{R}^{q+1}\pi({\mathscr{R}}), and \mathrm{R}^{q+1}\pi({\mathscr{L}}) are coherent. It follows that \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{F}}) admits a subsheaf of finite type, with the quotient being coherent. An immediate argument then shows that \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{F}}) is of finite type. This result, having been proven for any coherent sheaf, also holds for {\mathscr{R}}. The image of \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{R}}) in \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{L}}) is then a coherent sheaf ([12]), and \mathrm{R}^q\pi({\mathscr{F}}) is an extension of two coherent sheaves, and is thus coherent (id.).

1. Theorem 1 holds true even if we don’t suppose that X is quasi-projective (we can restrict to this case by using Chow’s lemma and the “devissage” of coherent sheaves, see [7]).

2. Grauert and Remmert have proven the analytic analogue of Theorem 1 for the projection \pi\colon\mathbf{P}\times Y\to Y. Needless to say that the proof is more difficult!

# 4 The group K(X) of classes of sheaves on a variety X

Let X be an algebraic variety, and let F(X) be the free abelian group generated by the set {\mathcal{C}} of (coherent algebraic, as always) sheaves on X. An element of F(X) is thus a formal linear combination x = \sum n_i{\mathscr{F}}_i \quad \text{where }n_i\in\mathbb{Z}\text{ and }{\mathscr{F}}_i\in{\mathcal{C}}. We agree, of course, to identify isomorphic sheaves [if not, then F(X) would not even be a “set!”].

Let (E)\quad 0\to{\mathscr{F}}'\to{\mathscr{F}}\to{\mathscr{F''}}\to0 be an exact sequence of sheaves. To this exact sequence we associate the element Q(E)={\mathscr{F}}-{\mathscr{F}}'-{\mathscr{F}}'' of F(X).

We define the group of classes of sheaves on X to be the quotient of F(X) by the subgroup generated by the Q(E), where E runs over all short exact sequences.

This group will be denoted by K(X) in what follows. If {\mathscr{F}} is a sheaf on X, then its canonical image in K(X) will be denoted \gamma_X({\mathscr{F}}), or \gamma({\mathscr{F}}), or simply {\mathscr{F}}, depending on the risk of confusion. The \gamma({\mathscr{F}}) generate K(X), and the map {\mathscr{F}}\to\gamma({\mathscr{F}}) is “additive”; in other words, if we have the exact sequence (E), then \gamma({\mathscr{F}})=\gamma({\mathscr{F}}')+\gamma({\mathscr{F}}''). Conversely, by the very definition of K(X), every additive map from the set of sheaves into an abelian group G can be written in the form {\mathscr{F}}\mapsto\pi(\gamma({\mathscr{F}})), where \pi\colon K(X)\to G is a uniquely determined homomorphism.

We can apply the above to construction to many other situations, apart from that of sheaves. We will need, in particular, to apply it to the case of vector bundles on X. So let {\mathcal{V}} be the set of vector bundles; we define F_1(X) to be the free group generated by {\mathcal{V}}, and K_1(X) to be the quotient of F_1(X) by the subgroup generated by the Q_1(E)={\mathscr{F}}-{\mathscr{F}}'-{\mathscr{F}}'', where (E) now denotes a short exact sequence of vector bundles. If X is connected (which we will assume), then we know that we can identify vector bundles with locally free sheaves on X; we thus have {\mathcal{V}}\subset{\mathcal{C}}, and the injection {\mathcal{V}}\to{\mathcal{C}} defines a canonical homomorphism \varepsilon\colon K_1(X)\to K(X).

Suppose that X is an irreducible non-singular quasi-projective variety. Then the homomorphism \varepsilon\colon K_1(X)\to K(X) defined above is a bijection.

We will need a certain number of auxiliary results on the relation between {\mathcal{V}} and {\mathcal{C}}:

Let 0\to{\mathscr{Z}}\to{\mathscr{L}}'\to{\mathscr{L}}\to0 be an exact sequence such that {\mathscr{L}}',{\mathscr{L}}\in{\mathcal{V}}. Then {\mathscr{Z}}\in{\mathcal{V}}.

Proof. If P\in X, then the local module {\mathscr{L}}_P is free over {\mathscr{O}}_P, and so a direct factor of {\mathscr{L}}'_P, which proves that {\mathscr{Z}}_P is a projective {\mathscr{O}}_P-module, and thus free, since {\mathscr{O}}_P is a local ring. But a coherent algebraic sheaf such that all its stalks are free is itself locally free (see [12, lines 10–11 from the bottom]).

Let n=\dim X, and let 0\to{\mathscr{Z}}\to{\mathscr{L}}_p\to\ldots\to{\mathscr{L}}_0\to{\mathscr{F}}\to0 be an exact sequence, with {\mathscr{L}}_i\in{\mathcal{V}}. If p\geqslant n-1, then {\mathscr{Z}}\in{\mathcal{V}}.

Proof. This is again a local question. So let P\in X; the fact that the local ring {\mathscr{O}}_P is a regular local ring of dimension n means that we can apply the syzygy theorem, and show that {\mathscr{Z}}_P is {\mathscr{O}}_P-free, whence the desired result (noting that the hypothesis that X is non-singular is used in an essential way).

Every {\mathscr{F}}\in{\mathcal{C}} is a quotient of some {\mathscr{L}}\in{\mathcal{V}}.

Proof. Let X\subset \mathbf{P} be a projective embedding of X, and let \overline{X} be its closure in P. By Proposition 2, {\mathscr{F}} can be extended to a sheaf {\mathscr{F}}' on \overline{X}. By [12, Théorème 1, p. 247] (and see also Lemma 6), the sheaf {\mathscr{F}}' is the quotient of a direct sum of sheaves of the form {\mathscr{O}}_{\overline{X}}(n), and thus a locally free sheaf on \overline{X}. By restriction to X, we obtain the desired result.

For every {\mathscr{F}}\in{\mathcal{C}}, there exists an exact sequence 0\to{\mathscr{L}}_n\to{\mathscr{L}}_{n-1}\to\ldots\to{\mathscr{L}}_0\to{\mathscr{F}}\to0 with {\mathscr{L}}_i\in{\mathcal{V}}.

Proof. This is a consequence of Lemma 9 and Lemma 10. We can state this corollary in a different way by saying that there exists a “complex” {\mathscr{L}} in {\mathcal{V}} that is acyclic in degrees \geqslant 1, and such that \mathrm{H}_0({\mathscr{L}})={\mathscr{F}}.

Proof. (of Theorem 2). We now continue to the proof of Theorem 2. If {\mathscr{F}}\in{\mathcal{C}}, we take an acyclic complex {\mathscr{L}} in {\mathcal{V}} such that \mathrm{H}_0({\mathscr{L}})={\mathscr{F}}. We set \gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}) = \sum(-1)^p\gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}_p); this is an element of K_1(X); we define \gamma({\mathscr{L}})\in K(X) analogously. Suppose that the following two lemmas have been proven:

\gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}) depends only on {\mathscr{F}}.

\gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}) is an additive function of {\mathscr{F}}.

Then, setting \eta({\mathscr{F}})=\gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}), we obtain a homomorphism \eta\colon K(X)\to K_1(X). By the definition of {\mathscr{L}}, we have that \eta(\gamma_1({\mathscr{L}})) = \gamma({\mathscr{L}}) = \gamma({\mathscr{F}}), whence \varepsilon\circ\eta=1. The proof that \eta\circ\varepsilon=1 is even more trivial. So everything relies only on proving Lemma 11 and Lemma 12.

Proof. (of Lemma 11). We first start by stating a corollary of Lemma 10:

Let {\mathscr{A}},{\mathscr{B}},{\mathscr{C}}\in{\mathcal{C}}, and let u\colon{\mathscr{A}}\to{\mathscr{B}} and v\colon{\mathscr{C}}\to{\mathscr{B}}, with u and v surjective. Then there exist {\mathscr{L}}\in{\mathcal{V}}, and u'\colon{\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{C}} and v'\colon{\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{A}}, such that v\circ u'=u\circ v', with u' and v' surjective: \begin{CD} {\mathscr{L}} @>v'>> {\mathscr{A}} \\@Vu'VV @VVuV \\{\mathscr{C}} @>>vw> {\mathscr{B}} \end{CD}

Proof. Let ({\mathscr{A}},{\mathscr{C}}) be the subsheaf of {\mathscr{A}}\times{\mathscr{C}} given by the elements having the same image in {\mathscr{B}}. Since u and v are surjective, the canonical projections ({\mathscr{A}},{\mathscr{C}})\to{\mathscr{A}} and ({\mathscr{A}},{\mathscr{C}})\to{\mathscr{C}} are surjective. By applying Lemma 10 to ({\mathscr{A}},{\mathscr{C}}), we obtain the desired result.

Now let {\mathscr{L}} and {\mathscr{L}}' be two resolutions of {\mathscr{F}}, which we intend to compare. We will show that there exists a third resolution {\mathscr{L}}'' of {\mathscr{F}}, along with surjective homomorphisms {\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{L}} and {\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{L}}' that induce the identity on \mathrm{H}^0; everything will then rely only on proving that \gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}'')=\gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}), for example. But, if we denote by {\mathscr{L}}_1 the kernel of {\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{L}}, then {\mathscr{L}}_1\in{\mathcal{V}}, by Lemma 8, and the exact sequence of homology shows that \mathrm{H}^q({\mathscr{L}}_1)=0 for all q\geqslant 0. We thus immediately deduce that \gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}_1)=0, and, since \gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}'')=\gamma_1({\mathscr{L}})+\gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}_1), this gives the desired result. Everything thus relies only on proving the existence of the resolution {\mathscr{L}}'', which we do dimension by dimension (where Lemma 9 tells us that the procedure will eventually stop), using the following lemma:

Let 0\to{\mathscr{Z}}\to{\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{B}}\to0 \quad\text{and}\quad 0\to{\mathscr{Z}}'\to{\mathscr{L}}'\to{\mathscr{B}}'\to0 be exact sequences (with {\mathscr{L}},{\mathscr{L}}'\in{\mathcal{V}}), and let {\mathscr{B}}''\to{\mathscr{B}} and {\mathscr{B}}''\to{\mathscr{B}}' be surjective maps. We can then extend {\mathscr{B}}'' to an exact sequence 0\to{\mathscr{Z}}''\to{\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{B}}''\to0 \quad \text{with }{\mathscr{L}}''\in{\mathcal{V}} and find surjective homomorphisms {\mathscr{Z}}''\to{\mathscr{Z}}, \quad {\mathscr{Z}}''\to{\mathscr{Z}}', \quad {\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{L}}, \quad {\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{L}}' such that the following diagram commutes: \begin{CD} 0 @>>> {\mathscr{Z}} @>>> {\mathscr{L}} @>>> {\mathscr{B}} @>>> 0 \\@. @AAA @AAA @AAA @. \\0 @>>> {\mathscr{Z}}'' @>>> {\mathscr{L}}'' @>>> {\mathscr{B}}'' @>>> 0 \\@. @VVV @VVV @VVV @. \\0 @>>> {\mathscr{Z}}' @>>> {\mathscr{L}}' @>>> {\mathscr{B}}' @>>> 0 \end{CD}

Proof. By applying Lemma 13 to {\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{B}} and {\mathscr{B}}''\to{\mathscr{B}}, we see that {\mathscr{L}}_1\to{\mathscr{L}} and {\mathscr{L}}_1\to{\mathscr{B}}'' are surjective. By applying the same lemma to {\mathscr{L}}_1\to{\mathscr{B}}''\to{\mathscr{B}}' and {\mathscr{L}}'\to{\mathscr{B}}', we see that {\mathscr{L}}_2\to{\mathscr{L}}_1 and {\mathscr{L}}_2\to{\mathscr{L}}' are surjective, making the diagram commute.

Now let {\mathscr{L}}_3\to{\mathscr{Z}} and {\mathscr{L}}'_3\to{\mathscr{Z}}' be surjective, and set {\mathscr{L}}'' = {\mathscr{L}}_2\oplus{\mathscr{L}}_3\oplus{\mathscr{L}}'_3. We define {\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{B}}'' as being 0 on {\mathscr{L}}_3 and {\mathscr{L}}'_3, and equal to {\mathscr{L}}_2\to{\mathscr{L}}_1\to{\mathscr{B}} on {\mathscr{L}}_2; we define {\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{L}} as being equal to {\mathscr{L}}_2\to{\mathscr{L}}_1\to{\mathscr{L}} on {\mathscr{L}}_2, to 0 on {\mathscr{L}}'_3, and to {\mathscr{L}}_2\to{\mathscr{Z}}\to{\mathscr{L}} on {\mathscr{L}}_3; we define {\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{L}}' analogously. We then define {\mathscr{Z}}'' as the kernel of {\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{B}}'', and {\mathscr{Z}}''\to{\mathscr{Z}} and {\mathscr{Z}}''\to{\mathscr{Z}}' as restrictions of the maps from {\mathscr{L}}''. The commutativity of the diagram is then immediate; furthermore, {\mathscr{Z}}'' evidently contains {\mathscr{L}}_3, which maps to {\mathscr{Z}}; a fortiori, {\mathscr{Z}}''\to{\mathscr{Z}} is surjective, and so too is {\mathscr{Z}}''\to{\mathscr{Z}}', which finished the proof of Lemma 13.

This finishes the proof of Lemma 11.

Proof. (of Lemma 12). Let 0\to{\mathscr{F}}'\to{\mathscr{F}}\to{\mathscr{F}}''\to0 be an exact sequence. We are going to show that there exists resolutions {\mathscr{L}}', {\mathscr{L}}, and {\mathscr{L}}'' of these sheaves, such that we also have an exact sequence 0\to{\mathscr{L}}'\to{\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{L}}''\to0. The additivity of \gamma_1({\mathscr{L}}) will then be evident. To construct these resolutions, we proceed, again, dimension by dimension. Everything relies on proving that, given an exact sequence as above, we can extend it to a commutative diagram \begin{CD} 0 @>>> {\mathscr{F}}' @>>> {\mathscr{F}} @>>> {\mathscr{F}}'' @>>> 0 \\@. @AAA @AAA @AAA @. \\0 @>>> {\mathscr{L}}' @>>> {\mathscr{L}} @>>> {\mathscr{L}}'' @>>> 0 \end{CD} with {\mathscr{L}}',{\mathscr{L}},{\mathscr{L}}''\in{\mathcal{V}}, and where the {\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{F}} are surjective.

For this, we first take some surjective {\mathscr{L}}''\to{\mathscr{F}}'', and apply Lemma 13 to {\mathscr{F}}\to{\mathscr{F}}'' and {\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{F}}''. From this we obtain surjective {\mathscr{L}}_1\to{\mathscr{F}} and {\mathscr{L}}_1\to{\mathscr{L}}'' that make the diagram commute. Next, we take some surjective {\mathscr{L}}_2\to{\mathscr{F}}', and set {\mathscr{L}}={\mathscr{L}}_2\oplus{\mathscr{L}}_1. We define {\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{F}} and {\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{L}}'' in the evident way, and we take {\mathscr{L}}' to be the kernel of {\mathscr{L}}\to{\mathscr{L}}''. Then {\mathscr{L}}_2\subset{\mathscr{L}}', which shows that {\mathscr{L}}' maps to {\mathscr{F}}', and all the desired conditions are satisfied.

This completes the proof of Theorem 2.

The hypothesis that X is quasi-projective was used only in Lemma 10, to prove that every coherent sheaf on X is the quotient of some locally free sheaf. We do not know if this lemma can be extended to “abstract” algebraic varieties.

# 5 Operations on K(X)

## 5.1 Ring structure on K(X)

Let {\mathscr{F}} and {\mathscr{G}} be (coherent) sheaves on X. The \operatorname{Tor}_p({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{G}}) (p=0,1,\ldots) are coherent sheaves on X (of course, the \operatorname{Tor} are taken over the structure sheaf of X). Since X is non-singular, \operatorname{Tor}_p({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{G}})=0 when p>\dim X, which means that the alternating sum \chi({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{G}})=\sum(-1)^p\operatorname{Tor}_p({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{G}}) is a well-defined element of K(X). The exact sequence of \operatorname{Tor} shows that \chi({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{G}}) is bilinear in {\mathscr{F}} and {\mathscr{G}}, and so extends to a bilinear map from K(X)\times K(X) to K(X), that we will denote by (x,x')\mapsto x\cdot x'.

The product defined above is commutative and associative.

Proof. Commutativity is trivial, since each \operatorname{Tor} is commutative. The associativity follows from the “associativity formula” of the \operatorname{Tor} (see [3]): we define the “simultaneous \operatorname{Tor}\operatorname{Tor}({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{G}},{\mathscr{H}}), and two spectral sequences abutting to \operatorname{Tor}({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{G}},{\mathscr{H}}), and with E_2 pages \operatorname{Tor}({\mathscr{F}},\operatorname{Tor}({\mathscr{G}},{\mathscr{H}})) and \operatorname{Tor}(\operatorname{Tor}({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{G}}),{\mathscr{H}}) (respectively); we use the fact that the Euler-Poincaré characteristics are invariant in a spectral sequence.

We can give a simpler proof by using Theorem 2: note that, if {\mathscr{F}} and {\mathscr{G}} are locally free, then \chi({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{G}}) = \gamma({\mathscr{F}}\otimes{\mathscr{G}}) which means that associativity is evident when {\mathscr{F}}, {\mathscr{G}}, and {\mathscr{H}} are locally free. Since K(X) is generated by the \gamma({\mathscr{F}}), with {\mathscr{F}} locally free, this proves associativity.

[The above product thus corresponds to the tensor product of vector bundles.]

## 5.2 The exterior power operation

Let E be a vector bundle. The exterior powers \bigwedge\nolimits^p E are vector bundles, and their class in K(X)=K_1(X) will be denoted by \lambda^p(E). If we have an exact sequence 0\to E'\to E\to E''\to0 then we define, by a well known procedure (Koszul’s thesis!) a filtration of \bigwedge(E) with quotients \bigwedge(E')\otimes\bigwedge(E''). From this we obtain the following formula: \lambda^p(E) = \sum_{r+s=p} \lambda^r(E')\cdot\lambda^s(E'').

This formula can be understood as an additivity formula by introducing the formal series (in t) \lambda_t(E) = \sum \lambda^p(E)t^p; this is an element of K(X)[[t]], starting with 1. The above formula implies that \lambda_t(E) = \lambda_t(E')\lambda_t(E'').

The map E\mapsto\lambda_t(E) can thus be extended to a homomorphism x\mapsto\lambda_t from K(X)=K_1(X) to the multiplicative group U of formal series 1+a_1t+\ldots+a_nt^n+\ldots \quad \text{with }a_i\in K(X). By definition, \lambda^p(x) is the coefficient of t^p in \lambda_t(x).

In characteristic 0, Grothendieck has shown that, for every sheaf {\mathscr{F}}, \lambda^p({\mathscr{F}}) is equal to the alternating sum of the “alternating \operatorname{Tor}” of p copies of {\mathscr{F}}. In characteristic \neq0, we do not know any analogous formula.

## 5.3 The operation f^!

Let f\colon Y\to X be a morphism. If E is a vector bundle over X, then the bundle f^{-1}(E) is a vector bundle over Y. This operation is additive, and thus extends to a homomorphism f^!\colon K(X)\to K(Y). By arguing on the fibres, we immediately see that f^! is a ring homomorphism, compatible with the operation \lambda^p, and such that (fg)^!=g^!f^!.

If {\mathscr{F}} is a coherent sheaf on X, then we can directly define f^!({\mathscr{F}}) as the alternating sum of the \operatorname{Tor}_p^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{F}}); indeed, this expression is additive in {\mathscr{F}} (by the exact sequence of \operatorname{Tor}), and reduces to {\mathscr{O}}_Y\otimes{\mathscr{F}} when {\mathscr{F}} is locally free.

## 5.4 The operation f_!

Again, let f\colon Y\to X be a morphism, that we now assume to be proper. If {\mathscr{F}} is coherent on Y, then we have seen (Theorem 1, §3) that the \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}}) (q=0,1,\ldots) are coherent sheaves on X, and their alternating sum is a well-defined element of K(X). Since this alternating sum is additive in {\mathscr{F}} (by the exact sequence of cohomology), we thus obtain an additive homomorphism f_!\colon K(Y)\to K(X). In the particular case where Y is a closed subvariety of X, and f is the canonical injection Y\to X, this operation reduces to extending by 0 outside of Y.

The map f_! is not compatible with multiplication. We do, however, have the following formula: f_!(y\cdot f^!(x)) = f_!(y)\cdot x \quad \text{for }x\in K(X)\text{ and }y\in K(Y).

It suffices to prove this formula when y=\gamma_Y({\mathscr{F}}) and x=\gamma_X({\mathscr{L}}), where {\mathscr{F}} (resp. {\mathscr{L}}) is a coherent sheaf on Y (resp. a locally free sheaf on X). In this case, we even have the more precise formula

\mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}f^{-1}({\mathscr{L}})) = \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}})\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{L}} \tag{$\star$}

where we set f^{-1}({\mathscr{L}}) = {\mathscr{L}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_Y.

To prove (\star), we first note that {\mathscr{F}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}f^{-1}({\mathscr{L}}) = {\mathscr{F}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{L}}. Returning to the definition of \mathrm{R}^qf, we define a canonical homomorphism from the right-hand side of (\star) to the left-hand side; to show that it is an isomorphism we can argue locally. We can thus restrict to the case where {\mathscr{L}}={\mathscr{O}}_X, and in this case our claim is trivial.

If we have two proper maps Z\xrightarrow{g}Y\xrightarrow{f}X, and if {\mathscr{F}} is a coherent sheaf on Z, then we can construct a spectral sequence with second page E_2^{p,q} = \mathrm{R}^pf(\mathrm{R}^qg({\mathscr{F}})) that abuts to \mathrm{R}^n(fg)({\mathscr{F}}): this is a particular case of the spectral sequence of composition of functors (see [8]). From this, we obtain the formula (fg)_!({\mathscr{F}}) = f_!(g_!({\mathscr{F}})) whence finally the fact that (fg)_!=f_!g_!.

# 6 Chern classes

The fact that K_1(X)=K(X) allows us to extend the definition of Chern classes to arbitrary coherent sheaves.

First consider the case where the base field is \mathbb{C}; every vector bundle E over X defines Chern classes c_i(E)\in\mathrm{H}^{2i}(X,\mathbb{Z}). If we have an exact sequence 0\to E'\to E\to E''\to0 then we know that c_p(E)=\sum_{r+s=p}c_r(E')\cdot c_s(E'').

As in §5.b, this can be understood as a multiplicative property of the Chern polynomial c_t(E)=\sum c_p(E)t^p, and allows us to define c_t(x) for all x\in K(X). The c_p(x) are homogeneous elements of degree 2p of \mathrm{H}^\bullet(X,\mathbb{Z}).

In the case of an arbitrary base field, Grothendieck proceeded in the same way, but replacing \mathrm{H}^\bullet(X) with the graded ring A(X) of cycle classes on X, under linear equivalence (`{a} la Chow). We recall only that a cycle Z on X of codimension p [i.e. a degree-p element of A(X)] is said to be linearly equivalent to zero if there exists a cycle H on X\times\mathbf{D} (where \mathbf{D} denotes the projective line) such that Z=H_a-H_b for points a,b\in\mathbf{D}; we denote by H_a the projection to X of H\cdot(X\times\{a\}) if it is proper. Chow and Samuel1 have shown that this equivalence relation possesses all sorts of reasonable properties, and Chow has shown (unpublished) that we could also construct a theory of Chern classes for vector bundles2, with these classes being elements of A(X). Note that, even in the classical case, this definition is somehow finer than the cohomological definition (since two cycles can indeed be homologous without being linearly equivalent).

In what follows, we denote by A(X) either this ring of cycle classes or \mathrm{H}^\bullet(X), and leave it to the reader to choose between the two theories.

Note that, in all cases, if f\colon Y\to X is a morphism (resp. a proper morphism), then we can associate to it a homomorphism f^*\colon A(X)\to A(Y) (resp. a homomorphism f_*\colon A(Y)\to A(X)). The formula f_*(y\cdot f^*(x)) = f_*(y)\cdot x holds true.

All of the usual formal constructions explained in the work by Hirzebruch [10] can be applied to the Chern classes c_p(x) of an element x\in K(X). We can, for example, define the Todd class T(x)\in A(X)\otimes\mathbb{Q} of an element x: we write c_t(x) formally in the form \prod(1+a_it), and let T(x)=\prod a_i/(1-e^{-a_i}). Then T(x+y) = T(x)\cdot T(y).

Similarly, we can define the “exponential” Chern class, denoted by \operatorname{ch}(x) (which is also an element of A(X)\otimes\mathbb{Q}), by \operatorname{ch}(x) = \operatorname{rank}(x)+\sum(e^{a_i}-1) where \operatorname{rank}(x) is the rank of x [it is the unique homomorphism from K(X) to \mathbb{Z} that sends a vector bundle to its dimension]. Then \begin{aligned} \operatorname{ch}(x+y) &= \operatorname{ch}(x)+\operatorname{ch}(y) \\\operatorname{ch}(xy) &= \operatorname{ch}(x)\cdot\operatorname{ch}(y) \end{aligned} by the analogous properties of vector bundles. With this, we can calculate \operatorname{ch}(x) in terms of c_t(x) and \operatorname{rank}(x) by “universal” formulas. If f\colon Y\to X is a morphism, then \begin{aligned} c_p(f^!(x)) &= f^*(c_p(x)) \operatorname{ch}(f^!(x)) &= f^*(\operatorname{ch}(x)) \end{aligned} for x\in K(X).

These formulas are well known when x=\gamma(E), with E a vector bundle on X, and the general case follows from linearity, by applying Theorem 2.

# 7 Statement of the Riemann–Roch theorem; First simplifications

Let f\colon Y\to X be a proper morphism, with X and Y irreducible non-singular quasi-projective varieties. We denote by T(X) the Todd class of the tangent bundle of X; it is an element of A(X)\otimes\mathbb{Q}. Now let y\in K(Y). Then:

f_*(\operatorname{ch}(y)\cdot T(Y)) = \operatorname{ch}(f_!(y))\cdot T(X).

[The two sides of the equality are thought of as elements of A(X)\otimes\mathbb{Q}; with this in mind, we can say that R–R is a formula “modulo torsion”; Grothendieck has more precise formulas, without torsion — i.e. that hold in A(X) — but he does not yet know how to prove them except in characteristic zero.]

We now show how the Riemann–Roch theorem, in Grothendieck’s form, implies the Riemann–Roch formula of Hirzebruch [10]:

We apply R–R to a projective Y, with X consisting of a single point, and y the class of a coherent sheaf {\mathscr{F}} on Y. Since A(X) is simply \mathbb{Z} in dimension 0, and is zero in higher dimensions, f_*(u), for u\in A(Y), is simply the terms x_n(u) of degree n=\dim Y in u. Also, T(X)=1, and f_!(y) is the alternating sum of the sheaves \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}}); a sheaf on a point is simply a vector space of finite dimension; in particular, \mathrm{R}^qf({\mathscr{F}}) is the vector space \mathrm{H}^q(Y,{\mathscr{F}}). On X, the map {\mathscr{G}}\mapsto\operatorname{ch}({\mathscr{G}}) consists simply of taking the rank of a sheaf; the right-hand side of R–R thus becomes \sum(-1)^p\dim\mathrm{H}^p(Y,{\mathscr{F}}) = \chi(Y,{\mathscr{F}}), and R–R then reduces to the form given by Hirzebruch: x_n(\operatorname{ch}({\mathscr{F}})\cdot T(Y)) = \chi(Y,{\mathscr{F}}).

We note that this formula is proven for any coherent sheaf, and not simply for vector bundles; this generality is somewhat illusory, by the linear character of R–R and by Theorem 2.

The proof of R–R proceeds by reduction to particular cases of a projection and an injection. For this, we use the following lemma:

Let Z\xrightarrow{g}Y\xrightarrow{f}X be proper morphisms. Let z\in K(Z) and let y=g^!(z). Then:

1. If R–R is true for \{g,z\} and \{f,y\}, then it is also true for \{fg,z\}.
2. If R–R is true of \{fg,z\} and \{f,y\}, and if f_* is injective, then R–R is also true for \{g,z\}.

Proof. First we prove (a). By R–R for g, we have g_*(\operatorname{ch}(z)\cdot T(Z)) = \operatorname{ch}(y)\cdot T(Y). Applying f_* to both sides, and taking into account the fact that (fg)_*=f_*g_*, we see that (fg)_*(\operatorname{ch}(z)\cdot T(Z)) = f_*(\operatorname{ch}(y)\cdot T(Y)).

Applying R–R for \{f,y\}, we see that the right-hand side of the above is equal to \operatorname{ch}((fg)_!(z)\cdot T(X)), which indeed proves R–R for \{fg,z\}.

Now we prove (b). Let \begin{aligned} u &= g_*(\operatorname{ch}(z)\cdot T(Z)) \\v &= \operatorname{ch}(y)\cdot T(Y). \end{aligned} We wish to show that u=v. Given the hypothesis on f_*, it suffices to prove that f_*(u)=f_*(v). But R–R for \{fg,z\} proves that f_*(u) = \operatorname{ch}(x)\cdot T(X) \quad \text{where }x=(fg)_!(z)=f_!(y). Similarly, R–R for \{f,y\} proves that f_*(v) = \operatorname{ch}(x)\cdot T(X).

Now let Y and Y' be varieties, and consider their product Y\times Y'. The projections Y\times Y'\to Y and Y\times Y'\to Y' define homomorphisms K(Y)\to K(Y\times Y') and K(Y')\to K(Y\times Y'), whence a homomorphism K(Y)\otimes K(Y')\to K(Y\times Y'). By an abuse of language, we also denote by y\otimes y' the image in K(Y\times Y') of the tensor product of two elements y\in K(Y) and y'\in K(Y').

Let f\colon Y\to X and f'\colon Y'\to X' be proper morphisms, and let y\in K(Y) and y'\in K(Y'). If R–R is true for \{f,y\} and \{f',y'\}, then it is true for \{f\times f',y\otimes y'\}.

(We denote by f\times f'\colon Y\times Y'\to X\times X' the product of f and f'.)

Proof. The proof consists of a calculation analogous to that for Lemma 15; we have to use the following formulas:

1. (f\times f')_!(y\otimes y') = f_!(y)\otimes f'_!(y');
2. (f\times f')_*(x\otimes x') = f_*(x)\otimes f'_*(x'), where x\in A(Y) and x\in A(Y');
3. \operatorname{ch}(y\otimes y') = \operatorname{ch}(y)\otimes\operatorname{ch}(y').

Formula (i) can be proven by taking y=\gamma({\mathscr{F}}) and y'=\gamma({\mathscr{F}}'), and applying the Künneth formula to calculate (f\times f')_!(y\otimes y'); the validity of the Künneth formula for coherent sheaves follows from the calculation of the cohomology by covers and from the Eilenberg-Zilber theorem (see the book by Godement on sheaves).

Formula (ii) is immediate, whether we consider the point of view of classes of cycles (for linear equivalence), or the cohomological point of view (in the classical case).

Formula (iii) is a consequence of the multiplicative property of \operatorname{ch}.

[In fact, we will only use the above lemma in the case where one of the varieties X' and Y' consists of a single point.]

Lemma 15, along with the Corollary of Proposition 4, shows that it suffices to prove R–R in the two following cases:

1. Y=X\times\mathbf{P}, with \mathbf{P} a projective space, and f\colon X\times\mathbf{P}\to X the projection onto the first factor.
2. an injection f\colon Y\to X of a closed subvariety Y of X.

By Lemma 16, (a) follows from:

a’. The homomorphism K(X)\otimes K(\mathbf{P})\to K(X\times\mathbf{P}) is surjective;

a’’. R–R is true for the map from \mathbf{P} to a point (or, in other words, the R–R-Hirzebruch formula is true for \mathbf{P}).

The next two sections are dedicated to the proof of (a’) and (a’’). The case of an injection (which is more difficult) will be covered later on.

# 8 Exactness and homotopy properties of K(X)

Let X be an algebraic variety (singular or not), and X' a closed subvariety of X, and set U=X\setminus X'. Then we have an exact sequence K(X') \to K(X) \to K(U) \to 0.

[The homomorphism K(X')\to K(X) is that given by extending a sheaf on X' by zero outside of X'; in the case where X and X' are non-singular, and denoting the canonical injection X'\to X by i, this homomorphism is i_!. As for K(X)\to K(U), this is the restriction homomorphism; in the case where X is non-singular, and denoting the canonical injection U\to X by j, this homomorphism is j^!.]

Proof. Let A=K(X)/\operatorname{Im} K(X'). We will define a homomorphism from K(U) to A. For this, let {\mathscr{F}} be a coherent sheaf on U; by Proposition 2, we can extend {\mathscr{F}} to a sheaf {\mathscr{G}} on X. We will show that the image of \gamma_X({\mathscr{G}}) in A does not depend on {\mathscr{G}}, but only on {\mathscr{F}}. So let {\mathscr{G}} and {\mathscr{G}}' be extensions of {\mathscr{F}}. Embed {\mathscr{F}} diagonally into {\mathscr{F}}\times{\mathscr{F}}=({\mathscr{G}}\times{\mathscr{G}}')|U; by Proposition 1, there exists a subsheaf {\mathscr{G}}'' of {\mathscr{G}}\times{\mathscr{G}}' such that its restriction to U is {\mathscr{F}}, and everything then relies on proving that \gamma_X({\mathscr{G}}'') \equiv \gamma_X({\mathscr{G}}') \mod \operatorname{Im}K(X') and similarly for {\mathscr{G}}'. But, since {\mathscr{G}}''\subset{\mathscr{G}}\times{\mathscr{G}}', we have a homomorphism f\colon{\mathscr{G}}''\to{\mathscr{G}} that is bijective over U. Let {\mathscr{N}} and {\mathscr{Q}} be the kernel and cokernel (respectively) of f; then \gamma_X({\mathscr{G}}'') - \gamma_X({\mathscr{G}}) \equiv \gamma_X({\mathscr{N}}) - \gamma_X({\mathscr{Q}}). But {\mathscr{N}} and {\mathscr{Q}} are supported outside of X'; if {\mathscr{I}} denotes the sheaf of ideals of X' in {\mathscr{O}}_X, then there exists an integer n>0 such that {\mathscr{I}}^n{\mathscr{N}}=0, and similarly for {\mathscr{Q}} (this is a local statement that is essentially equivalent to the “Nullstellensatz,” see [14]); we thus conclude that {\mathscr{N}} and {\mathscr{Q}} admit composition series whose successive quotients are annihilated by {\mathscr{I}}, i.e. are coherent on X', and so \gamma_X({\mathscr{Q}}) \equiv \gamma_X({\mathscr{N}}) \equiv 0 \mod \operatorname{Im}K(X'). The independence of \gamma_X({\mathscr{G}}) \mod\operatorname{Im}K(X) is thus proven, and so we obtain a well-defined element \eta({\mathscr{F}})\in A. If 0\to{\mathscr{F}}'\to{\mathscr{F}}\to{\mathscr{F}}''\to0 is an exact sequence on U, then we can extend {\mathscr{F}} and {\mathscr{G}} to X, and {\mathscr{F}}' to a subsheaf {\mathscr{G}}' of {\mathscr{G}} (see Proposition 1). The sheaf {\mathscr{G}}''={\mathscr{G}}/{\mathscr{G}}' extends {\mathscr{F}}'', which proves that \eta({\mathscr{F}})=\eta({\mathscr{F}}')+\eta({\mathscr{F}}''). The operation \eta, being additive, defines \eta\colon K(U)\to A. If we denote by \varepsilon the canonical homomorphism from A to K(U), we immediately see that \eta\circ\varepsilon=1 and \varepsilon\circ\eta=1, which finishes the proof.

Now let X and Y be varieties. Denote by p\colon X\times Y\to X the canonical projection. If X and Y are non-singular, then the homomorphism p^!\colon K(X)\to K(X\times Y) is defined (see §5.c, as well as §7). In fact, this homomorphism can be defined in the general case. This comes from the fact that {\mathscr{O}}_{X\times Y} is {\mathscr{O}}_X-flat (i.e. an annihilator of \operatorname{Tor}), since it is a ring of fractions of the usual tensor product {\mathscr{O}}_X\otimes_k{\mathscr{O}}_Y. We can thus set p^!({\mathscr{F}})={\mathscr{F}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_{X\times Y} for any coherent sheaf {\mathscr{F}} on X, and p^!({\mathscr{F}}) is additive, and so defines some K(X)\to K(X\times Y). Thus:

If Y is an affine line, then the homomorphism p^!\colon K(X)\to K(X\times Y) is bijective.

Proof. Let a be the origin in Y, and identify X with X\times\{a\}\subset X\times Y. We have an exact sequence: 0 \to {\mathscr{O}}_{X\times Y} \xrightarrow{t} {\mathscr{O}}_{X\times Y} \to {\mathscr{O}}_X \to 0 where t denotes the projection X\times Y\to Y, considered as a function to X\times Y. This exact sequence shows that \operatorname{Tor}_p^{{\mathscr{O}}_{X\times Y}}({\mathscr{O}}_X,{\mathscr{F}})=0 for p\geqslant 2, if {\mathscr{F}} is a coherent sheaf on X\times Y. We can thus define \pi_a\colon K(X\times Y)\to K(X) by setting \pi_a({\mathscr{F}}) = \operatorname{Tor}_0({\mathscr{O}}_X,{\mathscr{F}}) - \operatorname{Tor}_1({\mathscr{O}}_X,{\mathscr{F}}); we see, furthermore, that \pi_a\circ p^1=1, which already shows that p^1 is injective. From now on, we will consider K(X) as embedded into K(X\times Y).

To prove that K(X)=K(X\times Y), we argue by induction on n=\dim X, and we use the following diagram (where X' is closed in X, and U=X\setminus X'): \begin{CD} K(X') @>>> K(X) @>>> K(U) @>>> 0 \\@VVV @VVV @VVV @. \\K(X'\times Y) @>>> K(X\times Y) @>>> K(U\times Y) @>>> 0 \end{CD}

By Proposition 7, the rows of this diagram are exact. We thus conclude that, if K(X')=K(X'\times Y) (which is the case, by the induction hypothesis, if \dim X'<n), every element of K(X\times Y) whose restriction to U\times Y is in K(U) is also an element of K(X). In other words, we can “neglect” the subvarieties of X of dimension <n. In particular, we can suppose X to be affine, non-singular, and irreducible (since the complement of the set of singular points is a union of disjoint irreducible varieties). We will make use of the following dévissage lemma:

Let Z be an algebraic variety. Then the \gamma_Z({\mathscr{O}}_T) generate K(Z), where T runs over the set of irreducible subvarieties of Z.

Proof. We argue by induction on \dim Z; using Proposition 7, we can assume that Z is irreducible. Let {\mathscr{F}} be a sheaf on Z; if {\mathscr{F}} is a torsion sheaf, then it is concentrated on a subvariety, and the induction hypothesis shows that it is contained in the subgroup K'(Z) of K(Z) generated by the \gamma_Z({\mathscr{O}}_T). In the case where {\mathscr{F}} is torsion-free, we embed it into {\mathscr{F}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Z}K, where K is the field of rational functions on Z; we then have that {\mathscr{F}}\otimes K=K^n, and from this we conclude that {\mathscr{F}} is isomorphic to ({\mathscr{O}}_Z)^n modulo a torsion sheaf; whence the result. (For more details, see [14], or [7].)

By applying Lemma 17 to the case that interests us, we see that it suffices to show that \gamma({\mathscr{O}}_T)\in K(X) for every irreducible subvariety T of X\times Y. If \operatorname{proj}_X(T)\neq X, then it is evident, by the induction hypothesis; if T=X\times Y, then it is even more evident. Thus the only remaining case is when \dim T=n, and \operatorname{proj}_X(T) is dense in X. If A denotes the coordinate ring of X, then T corresponds to a minimal prime ideal \mathfrak{p} in the coordinate ring A[t] of X\times Y; the fact that the projection from T to X is dense implies that A\cap\mathfrak{p}=0. Let S be the set of invertible elements of A, and let K=A_S te bhe field of fractions of A. We have that A[t]_S=K[t], and the fact that \mathfrak{p}\cap S=\varnothing implies that \mathfrak{p} is of the form \mathfrak{p}'\cap A[t], where \mathfrak{p}' is a non-zero prime ideal of K[t]. There thus exists an irreducible polynomial P(t), with coefficients in A if we want, such that \mathfrak{p} is the set of polynomials of A[t] that are divisible by P(t) in K[t]. Then A[t] \supset \mathfrak{p} \supset P(t)\cdot A[t] = \mathfrak{q}. The sheaf {\mathscr{O}}_T corresponds to the module A[t]/\mathfrak{p}; let {\mathscr{F}} be the sheaf that corresponds to A[t]/\mathfrak{q}. Since \mathfrak{p}_S=\mathfrak{q}_S, there exists some a\in S such that a\cdot(\mathfrak{p}/\mathfrak{q})=0, which shows that {\mathscr{O}}_T is congruent to {\mathscr{F}} modulo an element of K(X'\times Y), with \dim X'<\dim X. Also, the exact sequence 0 \to {\mathscr{O}}_{X\times Y} \xrightarrow{P(t)} {\mathscr{O}}_{X\times Y} \to {\mathscr{F}} \to 0 shows that \gamma({\mathscr{F}})=0 in K(X\times Y), whence \gamma({\mathscr{O}}_T) \in \operatorname{Im} K(X'\times Y) = \operatorname{Im} K(X') \subset K(X) which finishes the proof.

We can avoid the need for the dévissage lemma by applying, to an arbitrary module M over A[t], the procedure applied above to the prime ideal \mathfrak{p}. We form M\otimes_A K=M_S, which is a K[t]-module. The structure of modules over principal rings shows that the group of classes of K[t]-modules is infinite cyclic, generated by the module A[t]. Since passing to M_S consists of “neglecting” everything that is concentrated on X'\times Y, the result follows.

If Y is an affine space k^n, then K(X) = K(X\times Y).

Proof. This is immediate, by induction on \dim Y.

# 9 Proof of the Riemann–Roch theorem for f\colon X\times\mathbf{P}\to X

We will first prove claim (a’) from the end of §7:

For every variety X, and every projective space \mathbf{P}, the homomorphism K(X)\otimes K(\mathbf{P})\to K(X\times \mathbf{P}) is surjective.

Proof. We argue by induction on \dim\mathbf{P}. For \dim\mathbf{P}=0, the proposition is trivial. So let \mathbf{P}' be a hyperplane in \mathbf{P}, and let U=\mathbf{P}\setminus\mathbf{P}'. We then have a diagram of exact sequences \begin{CD} K(X)\otimes K(\mathbf{P}') @>>> K(X)\otimes K(\mathbf{P}) @>>> K(X)\otimes K(U) @>>> 0 \\@VV\varepsilon_1V @VV\varepsilon_2V @VV\varepsilon_3V @. \\K(X\times\mathbf{P}') @>>> K(X\times\mathbf{P}) @>>> K(X\times U) @>>> 0 \end{CD}

This diagram commutes: this is trivial for the second and third squares, and, for the first square, it suffices to verify locally, on affine opens, for example. Given the induction hypothesis, \varepsilon_1 is surjective. But U is an affine space; the Corollary of Proposition 8 then shows that K(U)=\mathbb{Z}, and that K(X\times U)=K(X), whence the fact that \varepsilon_3 is bijective. The five lemma then shows that \varepsilon_2 is surjective.

The above proof shows that K(X)\otimes K(Y) \to K(X\times Y) is surjective whenever Y admits an algebraic cellular decomposition, where the cells are affine spaces. This is notably the case if Y is a Grassmannian.

We now proceed to the proof of claim (a’’):

Let {\mathscr{F}} be a coherent sheaf on a projective space \mathbf{P} of dimension r. Then the R–R-Hirzebruch formula x_r(\operatorname{ch}({\mathscr{F}})\cdot T(\mathbf{P})) = \chi(\mathbf{P},{\mathscr{F}}) holds true.

Proof. Let H be a hyperplane, and x its class in A^1(\mathbf{P}). We know that the Chern polynomial of \mathbf{P} is (1+tx)^{r+1}; thus T(\mathbf{P}) = x^{r+1}/(1-e^{-x})^{r+1}.

We also know that {\mathscr{F}} corresponds to a graded module M over k[X_0,\ldots,X_r]. By the Hilbert syzygy theorem, M admits a finite resolution by free graded modules; it follows that {\mathscr{F}} is equal [in K(X)] to a linear combination of sheaves {\mathscr{O}}(n), defined in [12], and it suffices to verify the R–R-Hirzebruch formula for {\mathscr{F}}={\mathscr{O}}(n). This sheaf is exactly the sheaf associated to the divisor nH; thus \operatorname{ch}({\mathscr{F}})=e^{nx}. Now, a direct calculation shows that \chi(\mathbf{P},{\mathscr{F}}) is equal to \binom{n+r}{r} (see [12]), and we are thus led to prove the formula: x_r[e^{nx}\cdot x^{r+1}/(1-e^{-x})^{r+1}] = \binom{n+r}{r}. \tag{$\star$}

It is useful to write this formula in terms of residues: \operatorname{Res}[e^{nx}\operatorname{d}\!x/(1-e^{-x})^{r+1}] = \binom{n+r}{r}. \tag{$\star\star$}

By defining the new variable y=1-e^{-x}, we see that the left-hand side is equal to \begin{aligned} \operatorname{Res}(\operatorname{d}\!y\cdot y^{-r-1}\cdot(1-y)^{-n-1}) &= z_r((1-y)^{-n-1}) \\&= (-1)^r\binom{-n-1}{r} = \binom{n+r}{r}. \end{aligned}

Since we have proven (a’) and (a’’), we can state:

R–R is true for the projection X\times\mathbf{P}\to X.

The fact that K(\mathbf{P}) is generated by the {\mathscr{O}}(n) can also be seen, without using the syzygy theorem, by the cellular decomposition of \mathbf{P}. We again obtain the complete structure of K(\mathbf{P}): if we denote by \alpha the class in K(\mathbf{P}) of the {\mathscr{O}}_H, then the elements 1,\alpha,\alpha^2,\ldots,\alpha^r form a basis of K(\mathbf{P}), and \alpha^{r+1}=0. The {\mathscr{O}}(n) are equal to (1-\alpha)^{-n}, as shown by the exact sequence 0 \to {\mathscr{O}}(-1) \to {\mathscr{O}} \to {\mathscr{O}}_H \to 0.

# 10 General remarks on the injection of a subvariety

## 10.1 Notation

Before continuing the proof of R–R, we first discuss the local resolution of the structure sheaf of a subvariety, and study some of its consequences. Some of these will be more general than necessary for our purposes, but they are interesting in their own right, and are no more difficult than the particular cases that we will need.

In what follows, Y is a (non-singular) subvariety of X, i the injection of Y into X, p the codimension of Y in X, E the normal bundle of Y, and {\mathscr{I}}(Y) the sheaf of local ideals of Y. We thus have the exact sequence

0 \to {\mathscr{I}}(Y) \to {\mathscr{O}}_X \xrightarrow{r} {\mathscr{O}}_Y \to 0 \tag{1}

where r is the restriction.

Finally, write F^* to mean the dual of a vector bundle F, and [Z] to mean the bundle associated to a divisor Z. Recall that c([Z])=1+Z.

## 10.2 Local parameters; Normal bundle

Let a\in Y. Then there exists an affine open subset U\subset X containing a, and functions f_1,\ldots,f_p that are regular on U, and that form a system of local parameters, or a system of “uniformising” parameters, for Y. This implies that Y\cap U is defined by the equations f_1=\ldots=f_p=0, that \operatorname{d}\!f_1,\ldots,\operatorname{d}\!f_p are linearly independent at every point in Y\cap U, that the f_i form a basis for the ideal {\mathscr{I}}(Y)_b of Y in {\mathscr{O}}_{b,X}(b\in Y\cap U), and, finally, that this ideal is “perfect,” i.e. that the annihilator of f_i in {\mathscr{O}}_{b,X}/(f_1,\ldots,f_{i-1}) is zero (1\leqslant i\leqslant p; f_0=0).

At every point b\in Y\cap U, the \operatorname{d}\!f_i form a basis for E_b^*. Also, {\mathscr{I}}(Y)/{\mathscr{I}}(Y)^2 is a sheaf concentrated on Y, and annihilated by {\mathscr{I}}(Y), and is thus a sheaf of {\mathscr{O}}_Y-modules. It is immediate that f\mapsto\operatorname{d}\!f is a homomorphism of {\mathscr{O}}_Y-modules from {\mathscr{I}}(Y)/{\mathscr{I}}(Y)^2 to the sheaf {\mathscr{O}}_Y(E^*) of germs of sections of E^*. By using the local parameters, we see that

the map D\colon{\mathscr{I}}(Y)/{\mathscr{I}}(Y)^2 \to {\mathscr{O}}_Y(E^*) defined by f\mapsto\operatorname{d}\!f is an isomorphism of {\mathscr{O}}_Y-modules.

## 10.3 Local resolution of {\mathscr{O}}_Y over {\mathscr{O}}_X

Let V be a vector space over k of dimension p, and e_1,\ldots,e_p be a basis of V, and define \mathfrak{M}_i = {\mathscr{O}}_X\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^i V. We endow the direct sum \mathfrak{M} of the \mathfrak{M}_i with a differential \operatorname{d}\! defined by3 \operatorname{d}\!\,(f\otimes e_{i_1}\wedge\ldots\wedge e_{i_k}) = \sum_j (-1)^i f\cdot f_{i_j}\otimes e_{i_1}\wedge\ldots\wedge \widehat{e_{i_j}} \wedge\ldots\wedge e_{i_k}. Then the sequence

0 \to \mathfrak{M}_p \xrightarrow{\mathrm{d}} \mathfrak{M}_{p-1} \to \ldots \to \mathfrak{M}_1 \xrightarrow{\mathrm{d}} {\mathscr{O}}_X \xrightarrow{r} {\mathscr{O}}_Y \to 0 \tag{2}

is exact at every point of U, and \mathfrak{M} is thus, on U, a projective resolution of {\mathscr{O}}_Y over {\mathscr{O}}_X. The exactness of (2) at a point b\in U\cap Y is a well-known result (see, for example, [3, Proposition 4.3, p. 151], taking into account the fact that {\mathscr{O}}_{b,Y}={\mathscr{O}}_{b,X}/(f_1,\ldots,f_p)). For b\in U\setminus(U\cap Y), we have that {\mathscr{O}}_{b,Y}=0, and the exactness of (2) is then an elementary exercise left to the reader.

If Y is a divisor, then (1) is exactly another way of writing the exact sequence of sheaves (which is exact on any X)

0 \to {\mathscr{O}}_X([Y]^{-1}) \xrightarrow{f} {\mathscr{O}}_X \to {\mathscr{O}}_Y \to 0, \tag{3}

where f is the multiplication by a local equation on Y. This exact sequence thus shows that \gamma(Y)=1-[Y]^{-1}.

Let Y_1,\ldots,Y_m be non-singular subvarieties of X such that Y_i intersects transversally with Y_{i-1} \cap\ldots\cap Y_1 \quad\text{(for }i=2,\ldots,m\text{).} Then \gamma(Y_1\cap\ldots\cap Y_m) = \prod_i\gamma(Y_i).

Proof. An evident induction on m shows that it suffices to consider the case of two subvarieties Y and Z that intersect transversally.

By definition, \gamma(Y)\cdot\gamma(Z) is the alternating sum of the \operatorname{Tor}_i^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_Z). It is clear that these sheaves, and the sheaf {\mathscr{O}}_{Y\cap Z}, are equal (and zero) at any point not contained inside Y\cap Z, which, in particular, proves our claim if Y\cap Z=\varnothing.

Now let a\in Y\cap Z. Since Y and Z intersect transversally, we can find an affine open subset U containing a, and functions f_1,\ldots,f_p and g_1,\ldots,g_q that are regular on U such that the f_i (resp. the g_j; resp, the f_i and the g_j) form a system of uniformising parameters for Y (resp. for Z; resp. for Y\cap Z). To calculate the \operatorname{Tor}_i({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_Z), we resolve {\mathscr{O}}_Y by using (2). We must thus determine the homology of the complex 0 \to \mathfrak{M}_n\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_Z \to \ldots \to {\mathscr{O}}_X\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_Z which can also be written as 0 \to {\mathscr{O}}_Z\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^p V \to \ldots \to {\mathscr{O}}_Z\otimes_k V \to {\mathscr{O}}_Z endowed with the same differential as above, with the f_i being considered as element of {\mathscr{O}}_Z. Since {\mathscr{O}}_{a,Z} = {\mathscr{O}}_{a,X}/(g_1,\ldots,g_q), the f_i generate a perfect ideal inside; so this complex is acyclic (see §10.c) and its 0-th homology group is {\mathscr{O}}_{a,Z}(f_1,\ldots,f_p), i.e. {\mathscr{O}}_{a,Y\cap Z}. Thus \operatorname{Tor}_0 = {\mathscr{O}}_{Y\cap Z} \quad\text{and}\quad \operatorname{Tor}_i = 0 \quad\text{(for }i\geqslant 1\text{),} which finishes the proof.

Let Y be a non-singular hyperplane section of Z, and let k be the dimension of X. Then (1-[Y])^{k+1}=0.

Proof. We take the non-singular hyperplane sections Y_1,\ldots,Y_{k+1} whose intersection is empty, and such that the Y_i intersect transversally with Y_{i-1}\cap\ldots\cap Y_1 (i=2,\ldots,k+1). Since [Y_i]=[Y], Proposition 11 and the preceding remark show that (1-[Y]^{-1})^{k+1} = 0, whence the corollary, since [Y] is invertible in K(X).

## 10.4 —

We will use, both here and later on, the following remark; let {\mathscr{F}} and {\mathscr{G}} be sheaves of algebras on X. Then the direct sum of the \operatorname{Tor}_i^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{G}}) canonically admits the structure of a sheaf of graded (by i) algebras. If {\mathscr{F}} admits, on U, a resolution {\mathscr{L}} over {\mathscr{O}}_X that is a sheaf of graded algebras, then the product in the homology of {\mathscr{L}}\otimes{\mathscr{G}} induced by the products in {\mathscr{L}} and {\mathscr{G}} coincides, on U< the the aforementioned coupling of the \operatorname{Tor}_i. [Details left to the read; see [3, Chap. IX] for some analogous and more general considerations. This follows from the classical result on maps from an acyclic complex ([3, Proposition 11, p. 76]).]

We have that i^!i_!(y)=y\cdot\lambda_{-1}(E^*) for all y\in K(Y). In particular, i^!\gamma(Y)=\lambda_{-1}(E^*).

Proof. By linearity, and Theorem 2, we can restrict to proving Proposition 12 in the case where y={\mathscr{F}} is a locally free sheaf. By definition, i^!i_!({\mathscr{F}}) is the alternating sum of the \operatorname{Tor}_i^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y), and, since {\mathscr{F}} and the \lambda^i E^* are locally free, {\mathscr{F}}\cdot\lambda_{-1}E^* is the alternating sum of the {\mathscr{F}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}\lambda^i E^*. Recalling §10.b, it thus suffices, to prove Proposition 12, to show that

\operatorname{Tor}_1^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y) = {\mathscr{F}} \otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y} {\mathscr{I}}(Y)/{\mathscr{I}}(Y)^2 \tag{4}

\operatorname{Tor}_i^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y) = {\mathscr{F}} \otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y} \lambda^i(\operatorname{Tor}_1^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_Y)). \tag{5}

[In (5), \lambda^i is the ith exterior power of a sheaf which is locally free, given (4).]

Unless otherwise mentioned, \operatorname{Tor} and \otimes are taken over {\mathscr{O}}_X. The exact sequence of \operatorname{Tor}, applied to (1), gives the exact sequence 0 \to \operatorname{Tor}_1({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y) \to {\mathscr{I}}(Y)\otimes{\mathscr{F}} \xrightarrow{g} {\mathscr{F}} where g is defined by g(u\otimes v)=u\cdot v. Since {\mathscr{I}}(Y) annihilates {\mathscr{F}}, g has a zero image, and so \operatorname{Tor}_1({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y) = {\mathscr{I}}(Y)\otimes{\mathscr{F}}. But, since {\mathscr{F}} is a sheaf on Y, it is annihilated by {\mathscr{I}}(Y), and so the image of {\mathscr{I}}(Y)^2\otimes{\mathscr{F}} in {\mathscr{I}}(Y)\otimes{\mathscr{F}} is zero, and {\mathscr{I}}(Y)\otimes{\mathscr{F}} can be identified with {\mathscr{I}}(Y)/{\mathscr{I}}(Y)^2\otimes{\mathscr{F}}. Finally, since, in this product, the two sheaves are over {\mathscr{O}}_Y, their \otimes over {\mathscr{O}} can be identified with their tensor product over {\mathscr{O}}_Y, which finishes the proof of (4).

Using the notation of §10.b, the \operatorname{Tor}_i({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y) are, on U, the homology groups of the complex 0\to\mathfrak{M}_p\otimes{\mathscr{F}}\to\mathfrak{M}_{p-1}\otimes{\mathscr{F}}\to\ldots\to{\mathscr{F}} which can also be written as

0 \to {\mathscr{F}}\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^p V \to {\mathscr{F}}\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^{p-1}V \to \ldots \to {\mathscr{F}} \tag{6}

endowed with the differential that extends \operatorname{d}\! and is zero on {\mathscr{F}}. Since the f_i are local sections of {\mathscr{I}}(Y), and this sheaf annihilates {\mathscr{F}}, it follows that, in (6), the differential is identically zero, and so \operatorname{Tor}_i({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y) = {\mathscr{F}}\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^iV = {\mathscr{F}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}{\mathscr{O}}_Y\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^i V \quad\text{(for }i\geqslant 0\text{).} In the particular case where {\mathscr{F}}={\mathscr{O}}_Y, this formula shows that \operatorname{Tor}_1({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_Y) = {\mathscr{O}}_Y\otimes_k V whence we have an isomorphism (for the moment, local, defined by the use of the parameters f_i) of the two sides of (5). But \mathfrak{M}, thought of as a tensor product of the algebras {\mathscr{O}}_Y and \bigwedge V, is clearly a differential graded algebra, and so the remark made at the start of §10.d applies, and shows that, in fact, this isomorphism is intrinsic (and, in particular, does not depend on the chosen system of local parameters) and holds true over X.

## 10.5 Particular case of the divisor

In this case, we can use the resolution (3), which is global. The \operatorname{Tor}_i({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y) are thus the homology groups of the complex \ldots \to 0 \to {\mathscr{O}}_Y([Y]^{-1})\otimes{\mathscr{F}} \xrightarrow{f}{\mathscr{F}} where {\mathscr{F}} is the multiplication by a local equation; since {\mathscr{F}} is annihilated by {\mathscr{I}}(Y), the homomorphism f has a zero image, which implies that \begin{aligned} \operatorname{Tor}_0({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y) &= {\mathscr{F}} \\\operatorname{Tor}_1({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y) &= [Y]^{-1}\cdot{\mathscr{F}} \\\operatorname{Tor}_i({\mathscr{F}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y) &= 0 \qquad\text{(for }i\geqslant 2\text{).} \end{aligned} By comparing with Proposition 12, we see that the restrictions of [Y]^{-1} to Y and to E^* define the same element of K(Y). In fact,

Suppose that \operatorname{codim}Y=1, and denote by L the restriction of [Y] to Y. Then:

1. L=E;
2. \gamma(Y) = 1-[Y]^{-1};
3. i^!i_!(y) = y\cdot(1-L^*).

Proof. Claim (c) was proven above, and (b) was proven in the remark of §10.b. It remains only to prove (a).

Let (U_i) be a cover of U such that, on U_i, Y is defined by one equation f_i=0, with the differential \operatorname{d}\!f_i being non-zero at every point of Y\cap U_i, and let f_{ij}=f_i/f_j on U_i\cap U_j. We know that [Y] is defined by the system \{f_{ij}\} of transition functions. Also, on U_i, we can identify E^* with the product U_i\times k by applying \operatorname{d}\!f_i to the unit section. But, on Y\cap U_i\cap U_j, we have that \operatorname{d}\!f_i=f_{ij}\cdot\operatorname{d}\!f_j (since f_j=0 on Y), and so we can define E^* by the system of transition functions \{f_{ij}^{-1}\}, which proves (a).

# 11 Proof of R–R in the particular case of an injection

Given the results of §7 and §9, it remains only to prove R–R for an injection. In the notation of §10.a, the formula to prove is then equivalent to

\operatorname{ch}i_!y = i_*(\operatorname{ch}y\cdot T(E)^{-1}) \qquad\text{(for }y\in K(Y)\text{).} \tag{1}

Indeed, E is the quotient of the tangent bundle of X (restricted to Y) by the tangent bundle of Y, so i^*T(X) = T(Y)\cdot T(E), whence \begin{aligned} i_*(\operatorname{ch}y T^(E){-1}) &= i_*(\operatorname{ch}y\cdot T(Y)\cdot i^*(T(X))^{-1}) \\i_*(\operatorname{ch}y T^(E){-1}) &= i_*(\operatorname{ch}y\cdot T(Y))\cdot T(X)^{-1} \end{aligned} and so (1) gives R–R if we multiply both sides by T(X).

To prove (1), Grothendieck first considers the case where Y is a divisor and y\in i^!(K(X)), and then reduces to this case by blowing up X along Y. This first particular case will be covered below, and the general case of the injection will be covered in §13, where we will assume certain properties of blow ups that will be proven in §14, §15, and §16.

We will use, without explanation, the formulas

\begin{aligned} f_!(y\cdot f^!(x)) = f_!(y)\cdot x \\f_*(y\cdot f^*(x)) = f_*(y)\cdot x \end{aligned} \tag{2}

where the first was proven in §5.c, and the second was mentioned in §6 (whose notation we also continue to use).

The equality (1) is true if \operatorname{codim}_XY=1 and y=i^!(x) (x\in K(X)).

Proof. By using (2) and Proposition 13, we see that \operatorname{ch}(i_!i^!(x)) = \operatorname{ch}(x\cdot i_!(1)) = \operatorname{ch}(x\cdot(1-[Y]^{-1})). Since x\mapsto\operatorname{ch}x is a ring homomorphism, and since c([Y])=1+Y, this implies that \operatorname{ch}(i_!) = \operatorname{ch}x\cdot\operatorname{ch}(1-[Y]^{-1}) = \operatorname{ch}x\cdot(1-e^{-Y}). The right-hand side of (1) is \begin{aligned} i_*(\operatorname{ch}(i^!x)\cdot T(L)^{-1}) &= i_*(i^*(\operatorname{ch}x)\cdot i^*(T([Y])^{-1})) \\&= \operatorname{ch}x\cdot T([Y])^{-1}\cdot i_*(1) \\&= \operatorname{ch}x\cdot T([Y])^{-1}\cdot Y \end{aligned} and (1) then follows from T([Y])=Y/(1-e^{-Y}).

R–R is true if X=Y\times\mathbf{P}, where \mathbf{P} is a projective space, and i is the map a\mapsto(a,p_0), with p_0 some fixed point of \mathbf{P}.

Proof. The map i is the product of the identity on Y with the injection of a point into \mathbf{P}. Given Lemma 16, it suffices to prove R–R in this latter case. If Y is a point, then K(Y)=\mathbb{Z}, and it suffices to consider the case where y=1. Since 1\in i^!(\mathbf{P}), our claim follows from Proposition 14 if \dim\mathbf{P}=1. Arguing by induction, we can assume that our claim is true for the injection u\colon Y\to H of Y into a hyperplane of \mathbf{P}; given part (a) of Lemma 15, it suffices to prove that R–R is true for u_!(1) and the injection v\colon H\to \mathbf{P}; this, itself, follows from Proposition 14 if we know that u_!(1)\in v^!(K(\mathbf{P})). But let Z be a second hyperplane and D a line of H such that Y=D\cap Z\cap H. Then (Proposition 11) \gamma_H(Y) = \gamma_H(D)\cdot\gamma_H(H\cap Z). By part (b) of Proposition 13, \gamma_H(H\cap Z)=1-[H\cap Z]^{-1}; since [H\cap Z] can be identified with the restriction of [H] to H, part (c) of Proposition 13 then shows that u_!(1) = \gamma_H(Y) = v^!v_!(\gamma_H(D)) = v^!(\gamma_{\mathbf{P}}(D)).

If the equality (1) is true whenever 2\dim Y\leqslant\dim X-2, then it is true in general.

Proof. It suffices to compose i with an injection X\to X\times\mathbf{P}, where \mathbf{P} is of large dimension, and the apply Corollary 1 and part (b) of Lemma 15.

# 12 Blowing up along a subvariety

## 12.1 Notation

We will write X' to mean the variety obtained by blowing up X along Y, f to mean the projection from X' to X, g to mean the restriction of f to Y'=f^{-1}(Y), and j to mean the injection from Y' to X'. We will thus have the commutative diagram \begin{CD} Y' @>j>> X' \\@VgVV @VVfV \\Y @>>i> X \end{CD} \tag{1} As before, E is the normal bundle of Y in X, and p=\operatorname{codim}_XY. We will sometimes write E' to mean the inverse image of E. We will see that f is an isomorphism outside of Y', that g is the projection into a fibration with fibre equal to the projective space \mathbf{P}_{p-1} of dimension (p-1), that \operatorname{codim}_{X'}Y'=1, and that E' contains the restriction of [Y'] to Y', which will be denoted L. Finally, we let F=E'/L, which is a vector bundle of rank (p-1).

## 12.2 Definition of X' by local charts

Over an affine open subset U that does not meet Y, we take U itself as a local chart. Now suppose that U\cap Y\neq\varnothing, and that Y admits, in U, uniformising parameters f_i (1\leqslant i\leqslant p). Let t_i be homogeneous coordinates of \mathbf{P}_{p-1}. Then f^{-1}(U) is the subvariety of \mathbf{P}_{p-1}\times U defined by U' = f^{-1}(U) = \big\{(t,u) \mid t_if_j(u)-t_jf_i(u)=0\big\} (with the t_i being the homogeneous coordinates of t) and f is the projection onto the second factor. It is evident that f is a morphism, that it is an isomorphism outside of f^{-1}(Y\cap U), and that, if u\in Y, then f^{-1}(u)=\mathbf{P}_{p-1}. The variety U' is the union of affine open subsets U'_i, where U'_i is the set of points (t,u) such that t_i\neq 0. If we let f'_j=f_j\circ f, then the local equation of Y' in U'_i is f'_i=0, and \operatorname{d}\!f'_i is a basis for the bundle L at each point of U'_i (see the proof of Proposition 13).

The differentials \operatorname{d}\!f_i are linearly independent at every point of Y\cap U, and, on Y\cap U, we will identify E^* with U\times k^p, by applying \operatorname{d}\!f_1,\ldots\operatorname{d}\!f_p to the canonical basis of k^p. Let b=(t_1,\ldots,t_p)\in g^{-1}(a) for a\in Y\cap U, and suppose that t_i\neq 0. Then the equations in \mathbf{P}\times U of the plane tangent to Y at b are \operatorname{d}\!f_j=(t_j/t_i)\operatorname{d}\!f_i; it follows that f sends, bijectively, the normal space of Y at b to the line t_1X_1+\ldots+t_pX_p, where (X_i) is the dual basis of (\operatorname{d}\!f_j), whence we have a bijection \mu_U from g^{-1}(a) to the projective space associated to E_a, and an inclusion of L into E', given by sending the fibre L_b of L to the line of E'_b that maps to t_1X_1+\ldots+t_pX_p under the canonical identification of E'_b with E_a.

Let V be a second affine open subset of X that meets Y, and in which Y has local parameters g_1,\ldots,g_p. Let \mathbf{P}' be a projective space with homogeneous coordinates s_1,\ldots,s_p. Then V' = f^{-1}(V) = \big\{(s,v) \mid s_ig_j(v)-s_jg_i(v)=0\big\} and we will have, as before, a canonical map \mu_V from g^{-1}(a) to the projective space of E_a. This leads us to define the change of charts in U'\times V' by the rule: (t,u) = (s,v) \quad\text{if [}v=u\not\in Y\text{] or [}v=u\in Y\text{ and }\mu_U(t)=\mu_V(s)\text{].} We must show that this correspondence is an isomorphism. Let c\in U\cap V. Since the (f_i) and the (g_i( are two systems of local parameters for Y, the exist elements a_{ij}\in{\mathscr{O}}_{c,X} that form an invertible matrix in {\mathscr{O}}_{c,X} such that f_i = \sum_j a_{ij}g_j which also implies that \operatorname{d}\!f_i = \sum_j a_{ij}\operatorname{d}\!g_j on Y. In the neighbourhood of a point c'\in f^{-1}(c), the above correspondence is then defined by (s,v)\mapsto(t,u), with v=u and t_i=\sum a_{ij}(u)s_j. We see that f_it_j-f_jt_i = \sum_{m,n} a_{im}a_{jn}(g_ms_n-g_ns_m) and it easily follows that the correspondence in question is an isomorphism.

## 12.3 Projective embedding of X'

We consider an embedding of X into some projective space \mathbf{P}_N of dimension N, with homogeneous coordinates (z_i). Let \varphi_i (1\leqslant i\leqslant s) be a basis for the ideal of Y consisting of homogeneous polynomials, and let m be an integer \geqslant the maximum of the degrees of the \varphi_i. Let (h_1,\ldots,h_M) be a basis for the k-vector space of forms of degree m in the z_i that are zero on Y. We can then take h_i to be the products of the form \varphi_j\cdot\mu (1\leqslant j\leqslant s) where \mu runs over the set of monomials in the z_i whose degrees are equal to m-\deg(\varphi_j). It follows immediately that:

1. Given x\in X\setminus Y, there exists some j such that h_j(x)\neq0. Given y\in Y, there exists some form g of degree m, and a set I of p elements of \{0,1,\ldots,M\} such that the h_i/g (i\in I) form, in a suitable affine open neighbourhood of y, a system of local parameters for Y, and such that the h_i/g\in{\mathscr{O}}_{y,X} (i=0,\ldots,M).

The h_i are sections of the bundle H^m, where H is the bundle associated to a hyperplane section of X. We denote by h'_i the corresponding sections of the inverse-image bundle, and we consider, in the usual way, “the map” h\colon x'\mapsto(h'_0(x'),\ldots,h'_M(x')) from X to \mathbf{P}_M defined by this space of sections. A priori, this is not really a map, since it is not defined at the points where all the h'_i vanish simultaneously. However, we want to show that:

1. h is a morphism;
2. if u',v'\in Y' have the same image in Y, and are distinct, then h(u')\neq h(v').

To prove (ii), it suffices to show that, given x'\in X', there exists some index k such that h'_i/h'_k\in{\mathscr{O}}_{x,X} (0\leqslant i\leqslant M), since the h'_i(x')/h'_k(x') will then be the coordinates of h(x'), and at least one of these quotients is non-zero. Given (i), the existence of h'_i is evident if x'\not\in Y. Now let x'\in Y. We can apply the second claim of (i), and, to simplify notation, we suppose that the f_i=h_i/g (i=1,\ldots,p) form a system of local parameters; let t_1,\ldots,t_p be the homogeneous coordinates of x' in \mathbf{P} (the notation from the start of §12.b, and suppose that t_k\neq0. Then f'_k=0 is a local equation for Y', and so the h'_j/g' are all divisible by f'_k in {\mathscr{O}}_{x',X'}, and so h is a morphism in x'. We also see that the ith homogeneous coordinate of h(x') is t_i/t_k (1\leqslant i\leqslant p), which evidently implies (iii).

With this in mind, consider the map \Psi from X' to X\times\mathbf{P}_M defined by \Psi(x')=(f(x'),(x')). Given (ii) and (iii), \Psi is a bijective morphism, and it is clear that \Psi is an isomorphism outside of Y'. By the projective normalisation and the Main Theorem of Zariski, we thus deduce that X' is quasi-projective.

# 13 Finishing the proof of R–R

Let G be a vector bundle of rank k on a variety X. Then \operatorname{ch}(\lambda_{-1}G) = c_k(G^*)T(G^*)^{-1}.

Proof. Write the Chern class c(G) of G in the form c(G) = \prod_{i=1}^k (1+a_i). Then (see [10]) \begin{aligned} c(G^*) &= \prod (1-a_i), \\c(\wedge^sG) &= \prod_{i_1<\ldots<i_s} (1+a_{i_1}+\ldots+a_{i_s}), \end{aligned} whence \begin{aligned} c_k(G^*) &= (-1)^k a_1\ldots a_k, \\\operatorname{ch}(\lambda_{-1}G) &= \prod (1-e^{a_i}), \end{aligned} and so \operatorname{ch}(\lambda_{-1}G) = c_k(G^*)T(G^*)^{-1}.

In the notation of §12.a, we have:

1. f_*(1) = 1, and so f_*f^* is the identity;

2. g_*(c_{p-1}(F)) = 1;

3. f^!i_!(y) = j_!(g^!(y)\cdot\lambda_{-1}F^*) [y\in K(Y)];

4. \lambda_{-1}F\equiv0 \mod(1-L^*) if p\geqslant\dim Y+2.

Proof. This lemma will be proven in §14, §15, and §16.

R–R is true for an injection.

Proof. We must (see §11) establish the equality

\operatorname{ch}i_!(y) = i_*(\operatorname{ch}y\cdot T(E)^{-1}), \tag{1}

and it suffices to do this in the case where p\geqslant\dim Y+2 (Corollary 2 of Proposition 14). In this case, g^!(y)\cdot\lambda_{-1}F^*\equiv0\mod(1-L^*), by part (d) of Lemma 19, and so is in the image of K(X') under j^! (Proposition 13), and (Proposition 14) we can apply R–R to g^!(y)\cdot\lambda_{-1}F^* and j. This gives

\operatorname{ch}j_!(g^! y\cdot\lambda_{-1}F^*) = j_*(\operatorname{ch}(g^! y\cdot \lambda_{-1}F^*)\cdot T(L)^{-1}). \tag{2}

To deduce (1) from this, it evidently suffices to show that

f_*(\operatorname{ch}j_!(g^!y\cdot\lambda_{-1}F^*)) = \operatorname{ch}i_! y \tag{3}

f_*j_*(\operatorname{ch}(g^!y\cdot\lambda_{-1}F^*)\cdot T(L)^{-1}) = i_*(\operatorname{ch}y\cdot T(E)^{-1}). \tag{4}

Part (c) of Lemma 19 shows that the left-hand side of (3) is equal to f_*(\operatorname{ch}f^!i_!y) = f_*^*(\operatorname{ch}i_!y) and thus equal to the right-hand side of (3), given part (a) of Lemma 19.

Since \operatorname{ch} is multiplicative, we have that \operatorname{ch}(g^!y\cdot\lambda_{-1}F^*) = \operatorname{ch}g^!y\cdot\operatorname{ch}\lambda_{-1}F^* = g^*(\operatorname{ch}y)\cdot\operatorname{ch}\lambda_{-1}F^* and so (Lemma 18) \operatorname{ch}(g^!y\cdot\lambda_{-1}F^*) = g^*(\operatorname{ch}y)c_{p-1}(F)\cdot T(F)^{-1}. But E'/L=F, so g^*(T(E)) = T(E') = T(F)\cdot T(L) whence \operatorname{ch}(g^!y\cdot\lambda_{-1}F^*)\cdot T(L)^{-1} = c_{p-1}(F)\cdot g^*(\operatorname{ch}y\cdot T(E)^{-1}). Given (2) (in §11) and part (b) of Lemma 19, the image under g_* of the right-hand side is equal to \operatorname{ch}y\cdot T(E)^{-1}, and the equality in (4) then follows from the fact that f_*j_*=i_*g_*.

# 14 Proof of parts (a) and (b) of Lemma 19

The map f if an isomorphism outside of Y', and so is of local degree 1, and so sends a fundamental cycle to a fundamental cycle, whence part (a) of Lemma 19.

The map g_* lowers the degree (which is the geometric codimension) by p-1, and corresponds to integration on the fibre. But also, the restriction of L to a fibre \mathbf{P}_{p-1} of g can be thought of as k^p\setminus\{0\}, the principal k^*-bundle, on the base \mathbf{P}_{p-1}. We know that the first Chern class of this latter bundle is the opposite of the class of a hyperplane. If we set -u=c_1(L), then this implies that g_*(u^{p-1}) = 1, and we evidently have that g_*(u^i)=0 (0\leqslant i<p-1) for dimension reasons.

Since E'/L=F, we have that \begin{aligned} c(E') &= c(F)(1-u) \\c(F) &= g^*(c(E))\cdot(1+u+u^2+\ldots) \\c_{p-1}(F) &= u^{p-1}+g^*(c_1(E))\cdot u^{p-2} +\ldots+ g^*(c_{p-1}(E)) \\g_*(c_{p-1}(F)) &= g_*(u^{p-1})+c_1(E)g_*(u^{p-2}) +\ldots+ c_{p-1}(E)g_*(1) \end{aligned} whence g_*(c_{p-1}(F)) = 1.

# 15 Proof of part (c) of Lemma 19

In this section, we will write {\mathscr{J}} to mean {\mathscr{I}}(Y), and {\mathscr{J}}' to mean {\mathscr{I}}(Y'). As we remarked in §10.b, {\mathscr{J}}'/{\mathscr{J}}'^2 (resp. {\mathscr{J}}/{\mathscr{J}}^2) is the sheaf of germs of sections of L^* (resp. E^*), and so {\mathscr{J}}/{\mathscr{J}}^2\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} is the sheaf of germs of sections of g^!(E^*)=E'^*.

By associating, to an element u\in{\mathscr{J}}_x, the element u\circ f\in{\mathscr{J}}'_{x'}(f(x')=x), we evidently define a surjective homomorphism of {\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}-modules \mu\colon{\mathscr{J}}/{\mathscr{J}}^2\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}\to{\mathscr{J}}'/{\mathscr{J}}'^2. This again shows that E'^* is sent to L^*, and thus that L injects into E'; the kernel of \mu is the sheaf {\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}(F^*) of germs of sections of F^*, as we can easily verify; in fact, this verification is superfluous, since we know that the kernel of \mu is locally free (see Lemma 8, §4), and thus corresponds to a subbundle N of E'^* such that E'^*/N=L^*, and thus necessarily represents the same element as F^* in K(Y'). We thus have the exact sequence

- \to {\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}(F^*) \to {\mathscr{J}}/{\mathscr{J}}^2\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} \xrightarrow{\mu} {\mathscr{J}}'/{\mathscr{J}}'^2 \to 0. \tag{1}

By linearity, and Theorem 2, it suffices to prove part (c) of Lemma 19 in the case where y={\mathscr{G}} is a locally free sheaf. In this case, g^!(y)={\mathscr{G}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} is locally free over {\mathscr{O}}_Y, and g^!(y)\cdot\lambda_{-1}F^* is the alternating sum of the {\mathscr{G}} \otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y} {\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} {\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}(\lambda^i F^*) = {\mathscr{G}} \otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y} {\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}(\lambda^i F^*). Also, f^!i_!(y) is the alternating sum of the \operatorname{Tor}_i^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{G}},{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}); it thus suffices to prove that

\operatorname{Tor}_1^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}) = {\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}(F^*) \tag{3}

\operatorname{Tor}_j^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{G}},{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}) = {\mathscr{G}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}\operatorname{Tor}_j^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}) \quad\text{(for }j\geqslant 1\text{).} \tag{4}

The equalities (3) and (4) correspond to the particular case of part (c) of Lemma 19 where y=1; their proof will be analogous to that of Proposition 12 (§10). We will first prove (2), as well as the fact that the \operatorname{Tor}_i^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}) are annihilated by {\mathscr{J}}', and can thus be identified with sheaves on Y'.

It is clear that the two sides of (2) are zero on an open subset that does not meet Y'. To prove (2) in the neighbourhood of a point b'\in Y', we reuse the notation from §10.c and §12.b. So we need to calculate the homology of the complex 0 \to \mathfrak{M}_p\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_{X'} \to \ldots \to {\mathscr{O}}_{X'} which can also be written as 0 \to {\mathscr{O}}_{X'}\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^p V \to \ldots \to {\mathscr{O}}_{X'}. Suppose that b' is in the open subset U'_j where t_j\neq0. Then it is clear that this complex of sheaves is isomorphic to the complex 0 \to {\mathscr{O}}_{X'}\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^p V' \to \ldots \to {\mathscr{O}}_{X'} where V' has a basis (e'_i), and where the differential is characterised by \begin{aligned} \operatorname{d}\!(1\otimes e'_j) &= f_j\otimes1 \\\operatorname{d}\!(1\otimes e'_i) &= (f_i-t_if_j/t_j)\otimes1 \end{aligned} and by the fact that it extends to a differential of algebras. In this new complex, it is immediate that the cycles of exterior degree s form {\mathscr{O}}_{X'}\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^s(e'_1,\ldots,\widehat{e'_j},\ldots,e'_p) and that the boundaries of exterior degree s form the ideal f_j\cdot{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^s(e'_1,\ldots,\widehat{e'_j},\ldots,e'_p). Consequently, \operatorname{Tor}_i^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}) \cong {\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}\otimes_k\bigwedge\nolimits^i(e'_1,\ldots,\widehat{e'_j},\ldots,e'_p), which proves that the \operatorname{Tor}_i are sheaves on Y', and, taking the initial remark of §10.d into account, also gives (2).

Proof. (of (3)). The exact sequence of \operatorname{Tor}, applied to 0\to{\mathscr{J}}\to{\mathscr{O}}_X\to{\mathscr{O}}_Y\to0, gives the exact sequence 0 \to \operatorname{Tor}_1^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}) \to {\mathscr{J}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_{X'} \xrightarrow{g} {\mathscr{O}}_{X'}. It is clear that, if b=f(b'), then {\mathscr{J}}'_{b'}={\mathscr{J}}_b\cdot{\mathscr{O}}_{b',X'}, and so the image of g is {\mathscr{J}}', and we obtain the exact sequence

0 \to \operatorname{Tor}_1^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}) \to {\mathscr{J}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_{X'} \to {\mathscr{J}}' \to 0. \tag{5}

Since \operatorname{Tor}_1({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}) is a sheaf on Y', we can write \operatorname{Tor}_1^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'})\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} = \operatorname{Tor}_1^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'})\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} = \operatorname{Tor}_1({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}). Also, {\mathscr{J}}' can be identified with {\mathscr{O}}_{X'}([Y']^{-1}), and is locally free, and so \operatorname{Tor}_1^{{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}}({\mathscr{J}}',{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}) = 0, and the exact sequence of \operatorname{Tor}, applied to (5), gives the exact sequence

0 \to \operatorname{Tor}_1^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_Y,{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}) \to {\mathscr{J}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} \xrightarrow{g} {\mathscr{J}}'\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} \to 0. \tag{6}

It is immediate that the canonical image of {\mathscr{J}}^2\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} (resp. {\mathscr{J}}'^2\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}) in {\mathscr{J}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}\otimes{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} (resp. {\mathscr{J}}'\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'}) is zero, whence we have canonical isomorphisms \begin{gathered} {\mathscr{J}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} = {\mathscr{J}}/{\mathscr{J}}^2\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_X}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} = {\mathscr{J}}/{\mathscr{J}}^2\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} \\{\mathscr{J}}'\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} = {\mathscr{J}}'/{\mathscr{J}}'^2\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}}{\mathscr{O}}_{Y'} = {\mathscr{J}}'/{\mathscr{J}}'^2 \end{gathered} which send g to the homomorphism \mu from the sequence (1). The equality (2) then follows from (1) and (6).

The equality (4) then follows from an associativity formula of \operatorname{Tor} (see [3]). We consider T({\mathscr{G}},{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}) = {\mathscr{G}}\otimes_{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}{\mathscr{O}}_Y\otimes{\mathscr{O}}_{X'} as a functor in {\mathscr{G}} and {\mathscr{O}}_{X'}. To calculate its left-derived functors \mathrm{L}_iT, we have two spectral sequences, with respective E_2 pages \begin{aligned} E_2^{ij} &= \operatorname{Tor}_i^{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}(\operatorname{Tor}_j^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}({\mathscr{O}}_{X'},{\mathscr{O}}_Y),{\mathscr{G}}) \\E'^{ij}_2 &= \operatorname{Tor}_j^{{\mathscr{O}}_X}(\operatorname{Tor}_i^{{\mathscr{O}}_Y}({\mathscr{G}},{\mathscr{O}}_Y),{\mathscr{O}}_{X'}). \end{aligned} From this, it evidently follows that E_2^{ij}=E'^{ji}_2=0 if i>0, and thus that E_2^{0j} = E'^{j0}_2 = \mathrm{L}_jT({\mathscr{G}},{\mathscr{O}}_{X'})[] since E_2^{0j} and E'^{j0}_2 are equal to the right- and left-hand sides (respectively) of (4), this proves the equality.

# 16 Proof of part (d) of Lemma 19

Let G be an ample vector bundle of rank (q+k) on Y (q=\dim Y; k\geqslant 0). Then G contains a trivial subbundle of rank k.

Proof. The fact that G is ample implies that, at each point y, the fibre G_y is generated by its sections. So there exists a finite-dimensional k-vector space V of sections, such that the map r_y\colon V\to G_y, that sends each section to its value at y, is surjective for all y\in Y. (If Y is not complete, take a cover by affine open subsets that are complete, and then extract a finite subcover by “quasi-compactness.”) We thus have an exact sequence 0 \to N_y \to V \to E_y \to 0 for all y\in Y, where \operatorname{codim}_V N_y=q+k. The N_y form a vector subbundle N' of the trivial bundle V\times Y, by Lemma 8 (§4). The injection of the N_y into V thus defines a morphism u\colon N\to V. Since \dim V=q+\dim N_y, the closure of \operatorname{Im}u is of codimension \geqslant k. Since \operatorname{Im}u is a union of vector subspaces, \overline{\operatorname{Im}u} is an algebraic homogeneous space; consequently, there exists a subspace W of dimension k whose intersection with \overline{\operatorname{Im}u} is \{0\}. Then W\cap N_y=(0) for all y\in Y, and so W defines the required subbundle. (For this proof, see [1].)

Let G be a vector bundle of rank p=q+k on Y (q=\dim Y). Then \lambda^s(G- k)=0 for all s\geqslant q+1.

Proof. Let h be the bundle associated to a hyperplane section of Y. Then (by the Corollary of Proposition 11) (1-h)^{q+1} = 0 and so h=1+u, with u^{q+1}=0, whence h^n = \sum_{0\leqslant i\leqslant q}\binom{n}{i}u^i. It follows that \lambda_t(Gh^n- k) = \prod_{i=1}^q \lambda_t(Gu^i)^{\binom{n}{i}}\cdot(1-t)^{-k} and the reader can, from this, deduce that \lambda^s(Gh^n- k) is of the form \lambda^s(Gh^n- k) = \sum_{i=1}^{m_s} B_{s,i}P_{s,i}(n) where B_{s,i}\in K(Y), and where P_{s,i}(n) is a polynomial with rational coefficients that, for all n>0 large enough, takes integer values. We then know (Hilbert) that P_{s,i} is a \mathbb{Z}-linear combination of the polynomials \binom{X}{j} = X(X-1)\ldots(X-j+1)/j! and so, finally,

\lambda^s(Gh^n- k) = \sum_{i=0}^{n_s} A_{s,i}\binom{n}{i} \qquad\text{(for }A_{s,i}\in K(Y)\text{).} \tag{1}

For n>n_0, the bundle Gh^n is ample ([12]), and so (Lemma 20) contains a trivial bundle of rank k< and Gh^n- k can be identified with a bundle of rank q; its sth exterior power is then evidently zero for all s\geqslant q+1. Given (1), it suffices to show that, if the polynomial P(n) = \sum_{i=0}^m A_i\binom{n}{i} \qquad\text{(for }A_i\in K(Y)\text{)} is zero for n>n_0, then all the A_i are zero. For this, we proceed by induction on m, and consider the first difference \begin{aligned} \Delta P(n) &= P(n+1) - P(n) \\&= \sum_{i=1}^m A_i\binom{n}{i-1} \\&= \sum_{j=0}^{m-1} A_{j-1}\binom{n}{j}. \end{aligned} Since \Delta P(n)=0 for n>n_0, the A_i (1\leqslant i\leqslant m) are zero by the induction hypothesis, whence clearly A_0=0 as well.

Let G and L be vector bundles on Y, with respective ranks p and 1. Then

1. \lambda^p(G-1) = (-1)^p\lambda_{-1}(G);
2. \lambda_t G(1- L) \equiv 1\mod(1-L);

and so, if G_1\equiv G_2\mod(1-L) [G_1,G_2\in K(Y)], then \lambda^iG_1\equiv\lambda^iG_2\mod(1-L) for all i\geqslant 1.

Proof.

1. We have that \begin{aligned} \lambda_t(G-1) &= \lambda_t(G)/\lambda_t(1) = \lambda_t(G)\cdot(1+t)^{-1} \\&= \lambda_t(G)(1-t+t^2-t^3+\ldots) \end{aligned} and it suffices to compare the coefficients of t^p.

2. We have that \lambda^i(G\cdot L) = L^i\cdot\lambda^i G \equiv \lambda^i(G)\mod(1-L) or, again, \lambda_t(GL)\equiv\lambda_t(G)\mod(1-L), which gives (b).

Proof. (of part (d) of Lemma 19). By Lemma 22, we have that (-1)^{p-1}\lambda_{-1}F^* = \lambda^{p-1}(F^*-1). But E'^*/F^*=L^*, so F^*-1\equiv E'^*-2\mod(1-L^*), whence (Lemma 22) \lambda_{-1}F^* \equiv \lambda^{p-1}(E'^*-2) \mod(1-L^*), which can also be written as \lambda_{-1}F^* \equiv g^!(\lambda^{p-1}(E'^*-2)) \mod(1-L^*). It thus suffices to show that \lambda^{p-1}(E^*-2) = 0 if p\geqslant\dim Y+2, which follows from Lemma 21.

# 17 An application of R–R

The following application (pointed out by Hirzebruch) is about “integration on the fibre” in an algebraic bundle. We place ourselves in the classical case, i.e. k=\mathbb{C}.

Let (E,B,F,g) be an algebraic bundle, where E, B, and F are projective, irreducible, and non-singular, and let \xi be the tangent bundle along the fibres. Then g_*(T(\xi)) = \operatorname{To}(F)\cdot1.

[Here \operatorname{To}(X) denotes the Todd genus of X.]

Proof. The tangent bundle to E is an extension of \xi by the fibre induced by the tangent bundle to B, so T(X) = g^*(T(B))\cdot T(\xi), whence g_*(T(X)) = T(B)\cdot g_*(T(\xi)). We apply R–R to g and the bundle 1 on X, which gives us that g_*(T(X)) = \operatorname{ch}g_!(1)\cdot T(B), and so, given the above, g_*(T(\xi)) = \operatorname{ch}g_!(1). We need to calculate g_!(1). Let U be an affine open subset of B over which the bundle is trivial. By Künneth (see the proof of Lemma 16), we have that \mathrm{H}^q(U\times F,{\mathscr{O}}_X) = \sum_{i+j=q} \mathrm{H}^i(U,{\mathscr{O}}_U)\otimes\mathrm{H}^j(F,{\mathscr{O}}_F). Since U is affine, \mathrm{H}^i(U,{\mathscr{O}}_U)=0 for i>0, and \mathrm{H}^0 can be identified with regular functions on U. But, in an algebraic bundle, the structure group G is connected (by hypothesis), and so acts trivially on \mathrm{H}^j(F,{\mathscr{O}}_F), which is the type-(0,j) component of \mathrm{H}^j(F,\mathbb{C}).4 It thus follows that g_!(1) = {\mathscr{O}}_B \otimes \left( \sum_q (-1)^q \mathrm{H}^q(F,{\mathscr{O}}_F) \right). Then g_!(1) is the alternating sum of trivial bundles, and so g_!(1) has exactly one component, which is in degree 0, and which is the alternating sum of the \dim\mathrm{H}^q(F,{\mathscr{O}}_F), which proves the proposition.

This proposition implies that the multiplicative sequence that defines the Todd class is “strictly multiplicative” for algebraic fibres, in the terminology of Borel-Hirzebruch [2]. In particular, it thus follows that \operatorname{To}(E)=\operatorname{To}(B)\cdot\operatorname{To}(F). In [2], this property, of strict multiplicativity, is proven in the differentiable, almost-complex case, and where also the fibre is some G/T or associated space.

# Bibliography

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1. See Chow [6] and Samuel [11]. See also the Séminaire Chevalley [5].↩

2. See the paper by Grothendieck which follows this present work [9].↩

3. As usual, the notation \,\,\widehat{\,}\,\,\, indicates that the symbol below the hat should be omitted.↩

4. We do not know if the fact that G acts trivially on the \mathrm{H}^j(F,{\mathscr{O}}_F) remains true in characteristic p>0. This is why we had to assume that k=\mathbb{C}.↩