This paper concerns extension of maps using obstruction theory under a non-classical viewpoint. It is given a classification of homotopy classes of maps and as an application it is presented a simple proof of a theorem by Adachi about equivalence of vector bundles. Also it is proved that, under certain conditions, two embeddings are homotopic up to surgery if and only if the respective normal bundles are SO-equivalent.

We prove that the Hatcher–Quinn and Wall invariants of a self-transverse immersion f: Nn ↬ M2n coincide. That is, we construct an isomorphism between their target groups, which carries one onto the other. We also employ methods of normal bordism theory to investigate the Hatcher–Quinn invariant of an immersion f: Nn ↬ M2n−1.

We prove the following two new optimal immersion results for complex projective space. First, if $n\equiv3\,\Mod 8$ but $n\not\equiv3\,\Mod 64$, and $\alpha(n)=7$, then $CP^{n}$ can be immersed in $\mathbb{R}^{4n-14}$. Second, if $n$ is even and $\alpha(n)=3$, then $CP^n$ can be immersed in $\mathbb{R}^{4n-4}$. Here $\alpha(n)$ denotes the number of 1s in the binary expansion of $n$. The first contradicts a result of Crabb, which said that such an immersion does not exist, apparently due to an arithmetical mistake. We combine Crabb's method with that developed by the author and Mahowald.

The existence of metastable immersion or span for space forms and homogeneous spaces is shown to depend only on the two-type of the space.