No label defined (Q4501734)

The aim of this paper is to provide an introduction to Cartan's method accessible to non-experts. So, the author presents the simplest problems and broadest outline of the method of equivalence. The language of exterior differential systems is used throughout. First is presented the initial formulation of a general equivalence problem in terms of a coframe and equivalence group. Then, the specific equivalence problems like: exterior system formulation, reduction, prolongation are treated. The next sections are on classification of coframes, \(G\)-structures and exterior system formulation, normalization, characterising equivalence classes. To illustrate the general problems, finally the author treats two non-trivial examples: the equivalence of Lagrangians under a change of variables and the local isometry problem for pseudo-Riemannian manifolds. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0940.00006].