# $X$ $n$-connected $\iff$ any continuous map $f:K \rightarrow X$ is null-homotopic

I want to show the following:

$X$ $n$-connected $\iff$ any continuous map $f:K \rightarrow X$ where $K$ is a cell complex of dimension $\leq n$ is homotopic to a constant map

For this I think I can use the following: $X$ $n$-connected $\iff$ every continuous map $f: S^n \rightarrow X$ is homotopic to a constant map.

Proof:

"$\Leftarrow$"

If any continuous map $f:K \rightarrow X$ where $K$ is a cell complex of dimension $\leq n$ is homotopic to a constant map then any $f: S^n \rightarrow X$ is homotopic to a constant map. So $X$ is $n$-connected.

"$\Rightarrow$"

I'm not sure how to proceed in this direction. I know $X$ is $n$-connected and so $\pi_i (X) = 0$ for all $i \leq n$. I also know any $f: S^i \rightarrow X$ is null-homotopic.

How to proceed from here? Many thanks for your help!

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Hint: If $X$ is (h.e. to) a CW-complex, then you can replace $f$ by a cellular map (cellular approximation). Then, since $K$ is a cell complex of dimension $\leq n$, it is built inductively by attaching one cell (of dim. $\leq n$) at a time. –  Shaun Ault Sep 7 '11 at 12:03
I have to confess I sometimes find the way mathematicians write "any" when they mean "every" irritating. "If any continuous map is XXXXX then YYYYYYY" could be taken by perfectly reasonable readers to mean "If there is any continuous map that is XXXXX, then YYYYYYY." Or it could mean "If it is the case that any continuous map, no matter which one, is XXXXX, then YYYYYYY", and that's quite a different thing. "Every" admits no such ambiguity. –  Michael Hardy Sep 7 '11 at 13:53
@Michael: See also John Milne's Mathlish page (scroll down to Be careful with your use of "any"). –  t.b. Sep 7 '11 at 16:39
@Michael: I thought that too, several times even. But then I always thought I'm just not advanced enough yet... –  Rudy the Reindeer Sep 8 '11 at 7:30
@Shaun Ault: But $X$ is not necessarily a CW complex. It's just a topological space. –  Rudy the Reindeer Sep 8 '11 at 8:55