Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2026/ii/paper-4/24f/solution

The degree is the sum of divisor coefficients; principal divisors are for nonzero rational functions. and is its degree-zero subgroup. On , ; on a hyperelliptic genus- curve with degree-two fibre , . If , any point divisor has by Riemann-Roch, giving a degree-one map to ; the converse follows because every degree-zero divisor on is principal. For , would give a function with divisor , hence a degree-one map unless , proving injectivity. If and the pairs differ, the resulting degree-two pencil makes hyperelliptic; therefore on a nonhyperelliptic curve the unordered pairs coincide.

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