Pushforward of a vector field ($f_{\ast }X=df(X)$)

For a vector field $X$ on $M$, its pushforward by a smooth map between manifolds $f:M\to N$ is the vector field along a map defined by $(f_{\ast }X{)}_p=d{f}_p(X_p)$. Acting on a function $h$ on $N$, it satisfies $(f_{\ast }X{)}_p(h)=X_p(h\circ f)$. For a diffeomorphism this defines a vector field on $N$ by evaluation at $p=f^{-1}(q)$. For a general map there need not be a single vector at each image point: $f(x)=x^2$, $X={\partial }_x$ gives $2x{\partial }_y$, with opposite values over $y>0$.

The chain rule shows that $\alpha {\varphi }_t{\alpha }^{-1}$ is the local flow of the pushforward of a vector field ${\alpha }_{\ast }X$. If this equals $X$, uniqueness of integral curves of a vector field gives commutation. Conversely, differentiate the commuting identity at $t=0$ to obtain $d{\alpha }_p{X}_p=X_{\alpha (p)}$. All identities hold on their common domains; the vector field need not be complete.

A vector field $X$ is projectable through a smooth map between manifolds $f:M\to N$ if there is a smooth vector field $Y$ on $N$ with $d{f}_p{X}_p=Y_{f(p)}$ for every $p$. Agreement on fibres is necessary. For a surjective submersion it is also sufficient: smooth local sections of the submersion express $Y$ locally as $df(X)$ and prove its smoothness. An arbitrary non-surjective map may instead give a field only along its image, with extension to $N$ requiring additional choices.