Not for the faint of art. |
Complex Numbers A complex number is expressed in the standard form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is defined by i^2 = -1 (that is, i is the square root of -1). For example, 3 + 2i is a complex number. The bi term is often referred to as an imaginary number (though this may be misleading, as it is no more "imaginary" than the symbolic abstractions we know as the "real" numbers). Thus, every complex number has a real part, a, and an imaginary part, bi. Complex numbers are often represented on a graph known as the "complex plane," where the horizontal axis represents the infinity of real numbers, and the vertical axis represents the infinity of imaginary numbers. Thus, each complex number has a unique representation on the complex plane: some closer to real; others, more imaginary. If a = b, the number is equal parts real and imaginary. Very simple transformations applied to numbers in the complex plane can lead to fractal structures of enormous intricacy and astonishing beauty. |
The main reason I usually post links in here is that I purposely avoid drama in my life, to the extent possible. But without drama, I don't have stories, and without stories, I have nothing personal to blog about. Nothing exciting, anyway. Oh, sure, sometimes I do, and you hear about it. I figured I'd have stuff to blog about while traveling and, well, mostly I do. But not this time. Went to a brewery and drank a small amount of beer. Hung out with friends. That's it. That's all. Nothing that I did yesterday, nothing that happened to me, is of any consequence whatsoever to me, let alone anyone else. But you know what? That's the way I like it. I'm still going to try to avoid posting articles until after I get back. Those entries just take longer. |