# How to prove that a projective variety is a finite CW complex?

Let $X$ be a (singular) projective variety, in other words something given by a collection of polynomial equations in $\mathbb CP^n$ or $\mathbb RP^n$. How one proves that it is a finite $CW$ complex?

Similar question. Suppose that $X$ affine (i.e. given by polynomial equations in $\mathbb C^n$, or $\mathbb R^n$). How one proves that its one point compactification is a finite $CW$ complex?

These questions are sequel to the discussions here:

For which classes of topological spaces Euler characteristics is defined?

-
–  David Speyer Jun 3 '10 at 14:40
Particularly my answer :) –  David Speyer Jun 3 '10 at 14:41
You may also want to look at the paper by Hironaka: "Triangulations of Algebraic Sets", p. 165--185, in the proceedings from the 1974 AMS Arcata conference in Algebraic Algebraic geometry. The purpose of the article is exactly to give a simple demonstration of a fact which "everyone knows", but which is reputed to be difficult. –  Mike Roth Jun 3 '10 at 14:51

The Lojasiewicz theorem says that every semi-algebraic subset of $\mathbf{R}^n$ can be triangulated. Moreover, there is a similar statement for pairs of the form (a semi-algebraic set, a closed subset). See e.g. Hironaka, Triangulations of algebraic sets, Arcata proceedings 1974 and references therein (including the original paper by Lojasiewicz).
This is not too difficult - take a completion and then trianguate the resulting couple. If $K$ is a subpolyhedron of a polyhedron $K$, then $K/L$ can also be triangulated. –  algori Jun 3 '10 at 17:33
That is, if $L$ is a subpolyhedron... –  algori Jun 3 '10 at 17:34