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. |
We're looking back into November of 2021 today, selected at random as usual. Since the process is random, sometimes there's something of substance, but other times, we get to revisit stuff like this: "Experience" Which, honestly, suits me just fine because I might be a little bit hung over. The 30-Day Blogging Challenge was running that month, and the prompt, if you don't want to click on that link, was: "An easy prompt for tonight. I'm tired, don't want to think much, so an easy one. What did you do during the 'Great Shutdown For The Upgrade' of WDC today? Tell us all the 'gory' details!" I doubt most users even noticed, and doubt even more that, without entries like these, most people remember it now. I've logged in here every day for several years now, but even I can live without it for a few hours. Hopefully everyone knows we have regular Zoom parties every other week. Those, of course, no longer happen. Nothing bad; just we all moved on to doing other things. Similar to the 30DBC itself. All this server migration, website coding, and hosting stuff might as well be sorcery as far as I'm concerned. Any sufficiently advanced technology, etc., etc. I think most of us have things like that - specialties that, to other people, seem like magic. For that matter, being able to write a coherent and compelling story can seem like magic. Hell, these days, it's a miracle if everything in a story, essay, or blog entry gets spelled correctly. Even with spellcheck. Besides, I'd rather learn about beer. Preferably through hands-on experience. Well, last night, it was wine, not beer, but for at least the next few hours, my education is going to have to take a break. |