Branch points of a complex function

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The discussion focuses on identifying branch points of a complex function, specifically noting that 1 and i are branch points of orders 1 and 2, respectively. A key point raised is the necessity of proving that other points in the complex plane do not serve as branch points by demonstrating that each branch of the function has a continuous inverse at those points. It is emphasized that if every branch has a continuous inverse, then it cannot be classified as a branch point. The conversation also touches on the relationship between branch points and monodromy groups, suggesting a deeper mathematical connection. Finally, a simpler example using the function f(z)=√z is presented to explore the continuity of its inverse at the branch point.
Hill
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Homework Statement
Consider the multifunction ##f(z) = \sqrt {z - 1} \sqrt[3] {z - i}##.
Where are the branch points and what are their orders?
Relevant Equations
##e^{i \frac \theta n} = e^{i \frac {\theta + 2 \pi n} n}##
My answer: one branch point is ##1## of the order 1, another is ##i## of the order 2.
My question is, how can I be sure that these are the only branch points?
 
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Prove by construction that, at an arbitrary point in the complex plane excluding 1 and ##i##, each branch of the function ##f## has a continuous inverse. At least one branch of a function does not have a continuous inverse at a branch point. So if every branch has a continuous inverse, it cannot be a branch point.
 
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andrewkirk said:
Prove by construction that, at an arbitrary point in the complex plane excluding 1 and ##i##, each branch of the function ##f## has a continuous inverse. At least one branch of a function does not have a continuous inverse at a branch point. So if every branch has a continuous inverse, it cannot be a branch point.
Yes, good point, branch point of product doesn't necessarily coincide with the intersection of the branch points. Could this be expressed in terms of the monodromy groups?
 
andrewkirk said:
Prove by construction that, at an arbitrary point in the complex plane excluding 1 and ##i##, each branch of the function ##f## has a continuous inverse. At least one branch of a function does not have a continuous inverse at a branch point. So if every branch has a continuous inverse, it cannot be a branch point.
If I understand this test correctly:

Let's take a simpler function, ##f(z)=\sqrt z##. It has branch point at 0.
The inverse of this function is ##z(f)=f^2##.
Isn't ##z(f)## continuous everywhere, including the branch point ##f(0)=0##?
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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