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(I posted this question on Mathstack but I haven't received any answers or comments so I thought I might as well try my luck here. I apologize if it is not an appropriate question.)

Theorem (Quillen) Let $F:\mathcal{C} \rightarrow \mathcal{D}$ suppose that $ N(F\downarrow d)$ is weakly equivalent to $*$ for all $d \in \mathcal{D}$ then $NF: N\mathcal{C} \rightarrow N\mathcal{D}$ is a weak equivalence.

The proof goes as follows: First we prove that if $F :\mathcal{C} \rightarrow \mathcal{D}$ is a functor, it is homotopy terminal if and only if $N(d \downarrow F)^{op}$ is weakly equivalent to a point for all $d \in \mathcal{D}$. If I can show/understand why $N(F\downarrow d)$ weakly equivalent to $ *$ implies that $N(d \downarrow F)^{op}$ is weakly equivalent to $*$ then the theorem follows easily ( by taking $X = Const_\mathcal{D} *$ in the definition of homotopy terminal ). So my question is:

Why does $N(F\downarrow d)$ weakly equivalent to $ *$ for all $d \in \mathcal{D}$ imply that $N(d \downarrow F)^{op}$ is weakly equivalent to $*$ for all $d \in \mathcal{D}$?

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  • $\begingroup$ The nerve of a category and it's opposite are always weakly equivalent. Taking geometric realization inverts all your arrows. $\endgroup$ Mar 13, 2014 at 12:59
  • $\begingroup$ Yes this is fine but then don't you need that $ (F\downarrow d)$ is the same thing as $ (d \downarrow F)$ which isnt always true right? $\endgroup$
    – Anette
    Mar 13, 2014 at 13:06

1 Answer 1

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If $S \colon \mathcal A \to \mathcal B$ is a functor, let $\newcommand{\op}{\mathrm{op}}S^\op \colon \mathcal A^\op \to \mathcal B^\op$ be its opposite. Then $(S \downarrow T)^\op \cong T^\op \downarrow S^\op$. Combine this with the equality $NF = NF^\op$ (if you identify $N\mathcal C = N\mathcal C^\op$, etc.)

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