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Algebraic $K$-theory for squares categories

Jonathan Campbell, Josefien Kuijper, Mona Merling and Inna Zakharevich

Vol. 11 (2026), No. 1, 1–36
Abstract

We introduce a new formalism for K-theory, called squares K-theory. This formalism allows us to simultaneously generalize the usual three-term relation [B] = [A] + [C] for an exact sequence AB C or for a subtractive sequence AB C by defining K0 of a squares category to satisfy a four-term relation [A] + [D] = [C] + [B] for a “good” square diagram with these corners. Examples that rely on this formalism are K-theory of smooth manifolds of a fixed dimension and K-theory of (smooth and) complete varieties. Another application we give of this theory is the construction of a derived motivic measure taking value in the K-theory of homotopy sheaves.

Keywords
scissors congruence, $K$-theory, squares categories, $K$-theory of varieties
Mathematical Subject Classification
Primary: 19D99
Milestones
Received: 6 December 2023
Revised: 5 October 2025
Accepted: 15 December 2025
Published: 31 January 2026
Authors
Jonathan Campbell
Center for Communications Research, La Jolla
San Diego, CA
United States
Josefien Kuijper
Department of Mathematics
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON
Canada
Mona Merling
Department of Mathematics
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
United States
Inna Zakharevich
Department of Mathematics
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
United States