The Stacks project

Definition 13.28.1. Let $\mathcal{D}$ be a triangulated category. We denote $K_0(\mathcal{D})$ the zeroth $K$-group of $\mathcal{D}$. It is the abelian group constructed as follows. Take the free abelian group on the objects on $\mathcal{D}$ and for every distinguished triangle $X \to Y \to Z$ impose the relation $[Y] - [X] - [Z] = 0$.