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Complex Numbers
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.
November 27, 2019 at 7:09am November 27, 2019 at 7:09am
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PROMPT November 27th
Write about a time when you surprised yourself with your abilities. Is there a specific time you can remember when you were convinced that you could not do something, and then you did it? Tell us!
No, but I can think of thousands of times when:
a) I was convinced that I could not do something and then I couldn't do it, or
b) I was convinced that I could do something and then I couldn't do it.
A bit rarer is the case where I was pretty sure I could so something and then I did it, but that's called "my career."
In fact, it is so rare that I'm wrong about being unable to do something or right about being able to do something that the only example I can think of comes from when I was, maybe, 5 or 6 years old. The training wheels were off my bike but my dad still helped me mount the thing, and I was certain that he had to help in order for me to get on. One day I begged him to help me onto the bike, yelling, screaming, pleading, hollering, wailing, etc. (there are many reasons I never wanted children but a big one is they might be like me), but he sat there like a lump and ignored me. Finally, in frustration, I hopped onto the bike all by myself and wobbled off.
Smart guy, my dad. If that had been my kid there would have been a disassembled bike and a kid with something real to cry about.
So yeah, that was probably the first and last time that I was convinced I couldn't do something and then proceeded to do it. Part of the reason is that if I don't think I can do something, I don't bother to try, because why make an even bigger idiot out of myself than I already am? If, you know, that's even possible. |
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