Let $K$ be an algebraic function field of one variable. Then we can define its genus. On the other hand, it can also be seen as a scheme, so we can define the arithmetic and geometric genus. Could anyone please tell me the relation between these definitions?



on the genus of a function field
The definitions coincide, with some caveats: basically for a curve, there is a single notion of genus, which applies equally to smooth curves over algebraically closed fields, and to their function fields; and also over the complex numbers to the associated Riemann surface as two-dimensional manifold. See <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus_%28mathematics%29> . On the other hand care is needed for curves that are allowed to be singular, or fields that are not algebraically closed, what definition is in use.


