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If $M$ is a Riemannian manifold the inverse function theorem tells us that for any $p \in M$ the exponential map gives us a nieghborhood $U$ of $p$ and normal coordinates $(x^i)$ in which the components of the metric are $g_{ij}=\delta_{ij}$ and the Christoffel symbols vanish at $p$. Why is this not the same as saying $M$ is locally flat?

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    @Eric: could you turn your comment into an answer so that the OP can accept it?2011-05-24

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The metric is only $\delta_{ij}$ at the point $p$. And a point of a manifold is only an open set when the manifold is 0-dimensional.

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    And the physicists always say $M$ is locally flat, which makes me crazy for days...2015-01-23