# truncation commutes with localization?

Suppose I have a higher category, say a simplicial category $C$, and I want to invert a certain type of morphism $W$. Simplicial localization (for example hammock localization), gives a localized simplicial categetory $W^{-1}C$. Then I truncate this category by passing to $\pi_0$ of hom-sets to obtain the 1-category $\pi_0(W^{-1}C)$.

Conversely, I may pass to the truncated 1-category $\pi_0(C)$, and then localize, to get the 1-category $W^{-1}\pi_0(C)$.

I guess there is a functor $\pi_0(W^{-1}C)\to W^{-1}\pi_0(C)$. Is it an equivalence of categories? I am also interested in 2-category truncations defined by $\Pi_1$ of hom-sets.

If it is not true, are there easy to understand counterexamples?

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If you are interested in 2-categories, you might as well consider Pronk's bicategorical localisation from her 1996 paper. I have a potential (counter)example in mind, let me get back to you. –  David Roberts Jul 6 '11 at 22:24
Yes, the map $\pi_0(W^{-1}C)\to W^{-1}\pi_0(C)$ is always an equivalence of categories (this follows immediately by comparing the corresponding universal properties). The same remains true (for formal reasons as well) if you look at the truncations of hom-spaces defined by $\pi_1$ and work up to an adequate notion of equivalence of $2$-categories (in fact, you may as well truncate in dimension $n$ and get an equivalence of $(n+1,1)$-categories). –  Denis-Charles Cisinski Jul 6 '11 at 22:47
Thanks! Turns out it's so simple. –  euklid345 Jul 7 '11 at 9:22

Yes, the map $\pi_0(W^{-1}C)\to W^{-1}\pi_0(C)$ is always an equivalence of categories (this follows immediately by comparing the corresponding universal properties). The same remains true (for formal reasons as well) if you look at the truncations of hom-spaces defined by $\pi_1$ and work up to an adequate notion of equivalence of 2-categories (in fact, you may as well truncate in dimension $n$ and get an equivalence of (n+1,1)-categories).