Let P be a simplicial d-polytope, and, for – 1 ≤ j < d, let fj(P) denote the number of j-faces of P (with f_1 (P) = 1). For k = 0, ..., [½d] – 1, we define
and conjecture that
gk(d + 1)(P) ≥ 0,
with equality in the k-th relation if and only if P can be subdivided into a simplicial complex, all of whose simplices of dimension at most d – k – 1 are faces of P. This conjecture is compared with the usual lower-bound conjecture, evidence in support of the conjecture is given, and it is proved that any linear inequality satisfied by the numbers fj(P) is a consequence of the linear inequalities given above.