The gonality of smooth curves with plane models (Q2277528)

Let \(\Gamma\) be an integral plane curve of degree \(d>k\geq 1\) with \(\delta\) ordinary nodes and cusps as its singularities, and let p: \(C\to \Gamma\) be its normalization. Let \({\mathbb{P}}_ k\) be the projective space parametrizing effective divisors of degree k on \({\mathbb{P}}^ 2\). The authors generalize a result of \textit{M. Namba} [``Families of meromorphic functions on compact Riemann surfaces'', Lect. Notes Math. 767 (1979; Zbl 0417.32008)]) concerning linear systems on a smooth curve to the case with ordinary nodes and cusps as follows. Let \(g^ 1_ n\) be a fixed point free linear system on C with \(n+\delta <k(d-k)\) for some integer \(k>0\). Then there exists a pencil \({\mathbb{P}}\subset {\mathbb{P}}_{k-1}\) including \(g^ 1_ n\) on C. From this main lemma the authors deduce several theorems, and give examples to show the sharpness of the theorems. The results are used by the first author in Math. Ann. 289, No.1, 89-93 (1991; Zbl 0697.14019). The proof of the main lemma is corrected in Manuscr. Math. 71, No.3, 337- 338 (1991)].