Understanding Branch Points for (1-z^3)^{1/2}

[BWV]

(1-z^3)^{1/2} has three branch points at z=1, z=\omegaand z=\omega^2 where \omega = e^{2\pi i/3}

The branch points are the zeros of the function correct?

So why are not z=\omega^4, z=\omega^6, z=\omega^8 etc also branch points as they are zeros of the function?
as
(e^{2\pi i/3^3})^6 =e^{2\pi i^6} = e^{12\pi i} = 1 so all even numbered powers of \omega are zeros of the function

also why does the latex code move around vertically like this?

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi BWV!

(\omega^{n})^3 = 1 for any n:

(\omega^{n})^3 = (e^{\frac{2n\pi}{3}})^3 = e^{2n\pi} = (e^{2\pi})^n = 1 ​

also why does the latex code move around vertically like this?

If you mean why doesn't it stay on the same line as ordinary text, the answer is:

'cos it doesn't! ​

But you can make it stay on the line by using [noparse]and instead of and[/noparse] ("itex" stands for "inline tex") … but that has the disadvantage that it squeezes it vertically into the line, so fractions and powers get squashed.

Alternatively, you can type the whole thing in latex, enclosing each bit of ordinary text inside the brackets of "\text{}"

 

[HallsofIvy]

(1-z^3)^{1/2} has three branch points at z=1, z=\omegaand z=\omega^2 where \omega = e^{2\pi i/3}

The branch points are the zeros of the function correct?

So why are not z=\omega^4, z=\omega^6, z=\omega^8 etc also branch points as they are zeros of the function?
as
(e^{2\pi i/3^3})^6 =e^{2\pi i^6} = e^{12\pi i} = 1 so all even numbered powers of \omega are zeros of the function

also why does the latex code move around vertically like this?

\omega= e^{2\pi /3} is the "principal cube root" of 1. That is, \omega^3= 1. We don't talk about \omega^4 because \omega^4= (\omega^3)(\omega)= (1)(\omega)= \omega. Similarly, \omega^6= (\omega)^3(\omega^3)= (1)(1)= 1 and \omega^8= (\omega)^3(\omega^3)(\omega^2)= (1)(1)(\omega^2)= \omega^2.