Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2010/iii/paper-15/3/b/solution

Use coordinate charts from the chosen oriented atlas. In each, the matrix of the Riemannian metric is smooth and positive-definite, so and its positive square root is smooth. Define the local Riemannian volume form by
If is another positive coordinate chart and , the transformation rule for the metric tensor is . Taking determinants gives
The oriented atlas has , so the wedge product of differential forms transformation from part (a) gives
The local expressions therefore glue to a global smooth top-degree differential form. Its local coefficient never vanishes, so it is a volume form. The global answer is in positive charts. In an arbitrary negatively oriented chart the corresponding expression needs a minus sign; the orientation is essential to the form, although a positive metric volume density exists without it.

New to topics? Read the docs here!