(i) Let γ:[0,1]→C\{0} be a continuous map with γ(0)=γ(1). Define the winding number w(γ;0) of γ about the origin.
(ii) For j=0,1, let γj:[0,1]→C\{0} be continuous with γj(0)=γj(1). Make the following statement precise, and prove it: if γ0 can be continuously deformed into γ1 through a family of continuous curves missing the origin, then w(γ0;0)=w(γ1;0).
[You may use without proof the following fact: if γ,δ:[0,1]→C\{0} are continuous with γ(0)=γ(1),δ(0)=δ(1) and if ∣γ(t)∣<∣δ(t)∣ for each t∈[0,1], then w(γ+δ;0)=w(δ;0).]
(iii) Let γ:[0,1]→C\{0} be continuous with γ(0)=γ(1). If γ(t) is not equal to a negative real number for each t∈[0,1], prove that w(γ;0)=0.
(iv) Let D={z∈C:∣z∣⩽1} and C={z∈C:∣z∣=1}. If g:D→C is continuous, prove that for each non-zero integer n, there is at least one point z∈C such that zn+g(z)=0.