Branch points of a complex function

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying branch points of a complex function, specifically focusing on the points 1 and i, and the conditions under which these points can be considered branch points. Participants are exploring the implications of continuous inverses for branches of the function in the complex plane.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to establish criteria for identifying branch points through the concept of continuous inverses. Questions arise regarding the sufficiency of the identified branch points and the relationship between branch points and the behavior of the function at other points in the complex plane.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants raising questions about the completeness of the identified branch points and exploring the implications of continuous inverses. There is a recognition of the complexity involved in determining branch points, and some participants suggest further exploration of related concepts such as monodromy groups.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the points 1 and i are the only branch points, while also considering the implications of excluding these points in their analysis. The discussion includes references to specific functions and their properties, indicating a focus on theoretical constructs within complex analysis.

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?
 
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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.
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##?
 

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