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Let $X$ be a smooth projective complex surface and $C$ a smooth curve on it. How can one conclude that $(C,C)=-1$ provided that $(C,C)+(K_X,C)<0$?

By adjunction formula, $(C,C)+(K_X,C)=2g(C)-2$, we have $C\cong \mathbb{P}^1$, but I don't see why its self-intersection number is $-1$.

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Your statement of the adjunction formula is incorrect. In fact, $ K_C\simeq K_X|_C\otimes O_X(C)|_C$ as invertible sheaves on $C$. Taking degrees we get $ 2g(C)-2 = (K_X, C)+(C,C).$ When $(K_X, C)<0$ and $(C, C)<0$, this implies that $g(C)=0$ and $(K_X, C)=(C,C)=-1$.

Note that there may exist $C\simeq \mathbb P^1$ with $(C,C)=-2$ and $(K_X,C)=0$. In this case $(C,C)\pm (K_X,C)< 0$ and $(C,C)\ne -1$.

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    You are right; my adjunction formula was wrong. $g(C)=0$ is automatic from the assumption. But we cannot conclude that $(C,C)=-1$. Maybe the problem is wrong.2012-11-18