Principal divisor on an algebraic curve ($(f)$)

For a nonzero rational function $f$ on a smooth projective curve $C$, its principal divisor isIt records the zeros of $f$ with positive multiplicity and its poles with negative multiplicity. Every principal divisor has degree zero.

Every degree-zero divisor on the projective line is principal. Indeed, if $D={\sum }_i{a}_i{p}_i$ and $L_i$ is a homogeneous linear form vanishing at $p_i$, then ${\sum }_i{a}_i=0$ makesa degree-zero rational function with $(f)=D$. Consequently, two divisors on ${\mathbb{P}}^1$ are linearly equivalent exactly when they have the same degree.

If distinct points $p,q$ on a smooth projective curve satisfy $(f)=p-q$, then $f:C\to {\mathbb{P}}^1$ is a finite morphism of degree one. Such a morphism between smooth projective curves is an isomorphism, so $C$ has genus zero. Hence no divisor $p-q$ on a curve of positive genus is principal.

For an elliptic curve with identity $O$, a divisor $D={\sum }_P{n}_P(P)$ is principal exactly whenThis is the identification of the degree-zero divisor class group with the elliptic curve.