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.
Just think, back in the mid seventeen hundreds, Ole Ben had himself an electric BBQ; he stunned the turkey, shocked himself and cooked the bird on a gadget called an electric jack. Personally, I think he should have used a pellet smoker.
Ironically I'm eating scrambled eggs with zucchini as I read this entry.
As someone who has shopped for and cooked delicata squash, I can say that they're mostly seasonal. I occasionally see them in the summer, but they're far easier to locate in the cooler months. They haven't quite broken out the way zucchini has or even acorn squash. I can find acorn squash year round, although admittedly I don't eat it in the warmer months. Speaking of which, if I had to guess, I think pumpkins aren't sold year round because A. summer demand and applicability is low and B. size is a factor. Acorn squash is grown in similar areas/conditions as pumpkin, but it's a smaller size. Grocery stores can carry it year round in a smaller footprint compared to pumpkin even if fewer people are buying it in the warmer months.
Here in the north woods there are rumors of a giant squash that roams the woods; Sasquash! I've never seen him, but do, on occasion, come upon his lesser relatives in the produce section.
I agree. When we finally get close to inhabiting Mars, I doubt anyone will be scouring through sci-fi books to find a design, asking, "How 'bout this, it looks pretty cool."
Oooh, a demonstration of Waltz's First Law of the Internet: Any post criticizing someone's grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation will itself contain grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation errors.
I'm pretty sure I've read all of Heinlein's books and stories, with the exception of the naked money grabs his estate published posthumously. Some of them didn't age well, but taken in the context of their time, many of them are solid science fiction.
And I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to use "grok" in an entry but passed because I didn't want to overuse it. As the blog is nearing its end, I threw caution to the wind today.
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