TITLE: A chain complex is split if and only if it splits as a direct sum.
QUESTION [7 upvotes]: This is the first part of Exercise 1.4.2 in An Introduction to Homological Algebra by Weibel. 
The first part is showing that a chain complex, $C$, with boundaries $B_n$ and cycles $Z_n$ in $C_n$ is split if and only if there are $R$-module decompositions $C_n \cong Z_n \oplus C_n/Z_n$ and $Z_n \cong B_n \oplus H_n(C)$.
If $C$ is split we have maps $s_n: C_{n-1} \rightarrow C_{n}$ such that $d_{n} = d_{n}s_nd_{n}$ where $d_{n}:C_{n} \rightarrow C_{n-1}$ is our differential. Notice that then we have exact sequences $0 \rightarrow kerd_{n} \rightarrow C_{n} \rightarrow Imd_{n} \rightarrow 0$. Now $s_n|_{Imd_n}: Imd_n \rightarrow C_n$  so that if $a \in Imd_n$ we have a $b \in C_n$ so that $d_n(b)=a$. Then we have $d_ns_n|_{Imd_n}(a) = d_ns_nd_n(b) = d_n(b) = a$ so our short exact sequence splits giving us $C_n \cong kerd_n \oplus Imd_n \cong Z_n \oplus C_n/Z_n$. 
Now we also have a short exact sequence $0 \rightarrow Imd_{n+1} \rightarrow kerd_n \rightarrow kerd_n/Imd_{n+1} \rightarrow 0$. I am stuck on this part of the first proof as i don't see why this is split. We would like to use the maps $s_n$ given by the assumption but these are submodules of $C_n$ so they don't seem to be of use. I also don't see why $Imd_{n+1}$ is injective or $kerd_n/Im(d_{n+1}$ is projective. I believe I am forgetting one of the ways we construct the splitting maps in this case any help would be appreciated!

REPLY [4 votes]: Let me tell you the answer firstly. In the notation of Weibel's book, $B^{\prime}_{n}=sd(C_{n})$, $B_{n}=ds(C_{n})$ and $H^{\prime}_{n}=(1-sd-ds)(C_{n})$. (This is the only thing I can guess after finished the "if" part)
I believe that you already showed $\mathrm{Im}\ d_{n}\cong sd(C_{n})$ in your question. Hence we have short exact sequence 
$$0\rightarrow Z_{n}\rightarrow C_{n} \rightarrow sd(C_{n})\rightarrow 0$$
The right split map is just the inclusion $sd(C_{n})\hookrightarrow C_{n}$.
It is also not hard to show that $ds(C_{n})=\mathrm{Im}\ d_{n+1}=B_{n}$. Then we have short exact sequence 
$$0\rightarrow ds(C_{n})\rightarrow Z_{n} \rightarrow Z_{n}/ds(C_{n})\rightarrow 0$$
The left split map is $ds$, so we have $Z_{n}\cong ds(C_{n})\oplus Z_{n}/ds(C_{n})$. 
In summary, we have $\mathrm{Im}\ d_{n+1}=ds(C_{n})$ and $\mathrm{Im}\ d_{n}\cong sd(C_{n})$. The first splitting short exact sequence implies $\ker d_{n}=(1-sd)(C_{n})$. Then the second splitting short exact sequence implies $H^{\prime}_{n}=(1-sd-ds)(C_{n})$.