The Monge Problem of “Piles and Holes” on the Torus and the Problem of Small Denominators

Resumo

We discuss the problem of existence of a smooth endomorphism of a closed n-dimensional manifold carrying a differential n-form into a prescribed volume form. Of course, we assume that the integrals of these forms over the whole manifold are equal. The solution of this problem for the n-dimensional torus reduces to the problem of small denominators well known in analysis.