Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / ii / Paper 4 / 23I / a / Solution

For $Q=\phi (P)$, the local ring of a nonsingular curve at $Q$ is a discrete valuation ring. Choose a uniformizer $t$ there. The ramification index of a morphism of curves isEquivalently, ${\phi }^{\ast }t=u{z}^{e_P}$ for a local uniformizer $z$ at $P$ and a unit in a ring $u$. A different choice $t^{\prime }=vt$ changes its pullback by a unit in a ring, so the index is well-defined. This local definition applies also to inseparable morphisms; conclusions involving separability or tame ramification require those extra hypotheses.