Variational problems and the exterior differential systems (Q1118877)

\textit{P. Griffiths} in the monography: Exterior differential systems and the calculus of variations (Boston, 1983; Zbl 0512.49003), has developed new methods for solving general variational problems of one independent variable. Here, similar results are obtained in the case of several independent variables. As applications of formalism in the present paper are further results of the author on higher order conservation laws.