The generalized Morse-Sard theorem (Q2666921)

The introduction of the paper under review starts recalling the classic Morse-Sard theorem: It asserts that if \(U \subset \mathbb{R}^m \) is open, \(f:U \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^n\) is \(C^{\max(m-n+1,1)}\) and \(C_f = \{c \in U\}\) is the set of critical points of \(f\), then the set \(f(C_f)\) of critical values of \(f\) has Lebesgue measure zero. It follows an overview on the different generalizations (also for infinite dimensional domain and range of \(f\)) since that time (1935) with hints to used proof methods and the remark that for the case of Sobolew spaces special proof methods had been successful. Finally, the aim of the paper is formulated: To find a generalized form of the theorem, which contains as special cases most of the results found up to now and so, that the conditions for \(f\) and for measures of \(S\) cannot be weakened. The theorem looked for works in metric spaces and is Theorem 1: If \(f\) is \(C^{k,\alpha}\) and \(S \subset C_{f,r}\) is \(s\)-\(\sigma\)-finite for some \(s \geq r\), then \(f(S)\) is \(d(s)\)-\(\sigma\)-finite. If, in addition, either (a) \(S\) is \(s\)-null, (b) \(s > r\) and \(f\) is \(C^{k,\alpha\beta\alpha+}\), or (c) \(s = m\), then \(f(S)\) is \(d(s)\)-null (Hausdorff-measure). It is shown that the classic version of the theorem above follows from Theorem 1. The proof of Theorem 1 is given in Sections 1--6 of the paper and it is often explained, which ideas are taken from already existing papers. Section 7 contains constructions of examples showing that special weakenings of conditions in Theorem 1 are not possible. Especially Whitney's example is discussed and followed by an interesting example using generalized Cantor sets and maps between them. There are two appendices, where properties of elements of \(C^{k,\alpha}\) and \(C^{k,\alpha+}\) are discussed.