The set of critical values of a sufficiently smooth function between manifolds has measure zero, meaning almost every value is a regular value. Proved by Arthur Sard, it is a foundational tool of differential topology, underlying transversality arguments and degree theory.
Facts
StatementThe set of critical values of a sufficiently smooth function between Euclidean spaces or manifolds has Lebesgue measure zero, so almost every point in the target is a regular value. 1 Proof YearThe one-dimensional special case (target dimension m=1) was proven by Anthony P. Morse in 1939; Arthur Sard proved the general case in 1942. Classification
Statement FormCharacterization Theorem 1 Connections
Has Statement Form
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In Branch
Sources
1. Sard's Theorem (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationStatement sectionQuote, Statement section
...was proven by Anthony P. Morse in 1939, and the general case by Arthur Sard in 1942.
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