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. |
Heading back home later today. I just wanted to point out that to a nerd like me, the Museum of Natural History is like the Sarlacc pit from Star Wars. See? Even my similes are nerdy now. Let's try that again. It's like a black hole whose gravit- nope, still nerdy. It's like the tractor beam on the Enterpr- nope, still nerdy. Oh, well. It's worth going to New York just for that museum. There might be a few other things to do in town, but that's among the nerdiest. |