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. |
Travel planning update: I still haven't heard back from the travel agent. They're supposed to come up with an itinerary that I can then tweak if necessary. I was going to call them yesterday, but, as everyone knows by now, someone (probably a Russian spy) pulled the plug on a bunch of servers, including transportation ones. I figured bugging them could wait until Monday. There's no reason to believe the early autumn dates will shift, so late September / early October. As I have been active in "October Novel Prep Challenge" [13+] for the past few years, I thought it would be courteous to inform Brandiwyn🎶 that I'd be out of the country and thus unable to perform my usual essential support tasks this year. In retribution, she told me that she knows people in France and maybe I could meet them. This is retribution because now I'll need to make adjustments to the schedule to allow for meeting actual people (not other tourists). Joke's on her, though: I can do that easily. Oh, and yes, this is a stealth promotion for "October Novel Prep Challenge" [13+]. Since they haven't gotten back to me yet, the only other thing to report is how much I'm procrastinating getting other things ready for the trip. Oh, well. There's always tomorrow. |