Notes on the topology of folds (Q1201783)

In this interesting paper the author studies smooth maps \(f: M^ m\to N^ n\) \((m\geq n)\) having only fold singular points, where \(M\) is a closed manifold. Some obstructions, in terms of the Euler number of \(M\) and the Stiefel-Whitney characteristic classes of \(N\), to the existence of such maps are given. The main results of the paper are generalizations of those by \textit{R. Thom} [Ann. Inst. Fourier 6 (1955-56), 43-87 (1956; Zbl 0075.321)].