Paper 2, Section II, 23F

Riemann Surfaces
Part II, 2020

Let f:CCf: \mathbb{C}_{\infty} \rightarrow \mathbb{C}_{\infty} be a rational function. What does it mean for pCp \in \mathbb{C}_{\infty} to be a ramification point? What does it mean for pCp \in \mathbb{C}_{\infty} to be a branch point?

Let BB be the set of branch points of ff, and let RR be the set of ramification points. Show that

f:C\RC\Bf: \mathbb{C}_{\infty} \backslash R \rightarrow \mathbb{C}_{\infty} \backslash B

is a regular covering map.

State the monodromy theorem. For wC\Bw \in \mathbb{C}_{\infty} \backslash B, explain how a closed curve based at ww defines a permutation of f1(w)f^{-1}(w).

For the rational function

f(z)=z(2z)(1z)4f(z)=\frac{z(2-z)}{(1-z)^{4}}

identify the group of all such permutations.