Introduction to Arnold's $J^+$-Invariant

Abstract

We explore Arnold's $J^+$-invariant of immersions -- planar smooth closed curves with non-vanishing derivative, at most double points and only transverse intersections -- and computation methods like Viro's sum, among others. Only basic undergraduate mathematics is needed to understand the contents of this introductory paper and everything we need that is above that is recalled or introduced. Examples, exercises and solutions are included for practice.