Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2026 / ii / Paper 2 / 11I / c / Solution

If no $z\in S^1$ obeyed $z^n=-g(z)$, the loops $z^n$ and $-g(z)$ could be joined without crossing zero by the straight-line homotopy, so they would have equal winding number. The first has winding $n$. Since $g{|}_{S^1}$ extends over the disc, it is null-homotopic and has winding $0$; multiplication by $-1$ does not change it. This contradicts $n\ne 0$.

Solved by gpt-5.6-sol high.