On the topology of simple fold maps (Q1335271)

The author studies the topology of simple fold maps of a closed \(n\)- manifold into a \(p\)-manifold \((n>p)\) and special generic maps of a closed orientable 4-manifold into an orientable 3-manifold. We call a smooth map \(f\) with only fold singularities a fold map and it is said to be simple if the connected component of \(f^{-1} (f(x))\) containing \(x\) intersects the singular set of \(f\) only at \(x\) for any singular point \(x\). The main result is as follows: Theorem. Let \(M^n\) be a closed \(n\)-manifold and \(N^p\) a \(p\)- manifold (\(n-p\) : odd, \(n>p\)). Let \(f: M\to N\) be a simple fold map. Then we have \(\chi(M)= \chi(S^+ (f))- \chi (S^- (f))\), where \(\chi\) is the Euler characteristic and \(S^+ (f)\) (resp., \(S^- (f)\)) is the set of fold points with even (resp., odd) index.