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Ali Taghavi
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The maximum number of vertical independent vector fields on the tangent bundle

Let $M$ be a differentiable manifold.

Is there a terminology for the maximum number of globally defined independent vector fields on $M\to M$? Is there a terminology for the maximum number of globally defined independent vector fields on $TM$ whose mutual flow commute, that is they mutually have zero lie bracket? What kind of characteristic classes can be used to compute such quantitties? what are these numbers for $M=S^n$?

Ali Taghavi
  • 356
  • 8
  • 31
  • 123