Involutions fixing \({\mathbb R P^j}\cup F^n\) (Q1888469)

This paper seeks the maximum dimension \(m\) of a closed manifold with involution \((M^m, T)\) having fixed set the union of the real projective space \(\mathbb R P^j\) and an \(n\)-dimensional manifold \(F^n\). When \(n= j\), there is no maximum, so one supposes \(n\neq j\). This paper establishes a bound for \(m\) when the normal bundle of \(\mathbb R P^j\) in \(M^m\) has Stiefel-Whitney class \((1+ x)^q\) with \(q\equiv j\bmod 2\). In most cases this bound is best possible.