The signature theorem and some related questions

Some corollaries of the Hirzebruch–Thom signature theorem are discussed. The multiplicativity of the signature and the naturalness of the Pontryagin classes for coverings in the case of $\mathbb Q$-homology manifolds is proved. A geometric proof of Hirzebruch's well-known “functional equation” for the virtual signature is outlined. Bibl. 24 titles.