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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.
February 21, 2019 at 12:45am February 21, 2019 at 12:45am
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I've been feeling frustrated lately. No, not because of that. Or even because of that. I don't even know why.
Emotion is like a foreign country to me: some things are familiar, but I don't speak the language, I don't fully grok the customs, and I feel like anything I do could be misinterpreted.
What I don't understand, specifically, is that this isn't the first time I've worked on improving my overall health through a combination of diet and exercise - but past attempts have left me feeling better, not worse. Usually, I take some pleasure and derive satisfaction from working toward a goal of that sort, and seeing real progress. Not as much as I get from instant gratification, of course, but some.
This time, though, I have been seeing real progress, and apart from a bit of overindulgence on Monday (something I had planned for), I've been pretty good about sticking to the basics: eat right and exercise. And yet, instead of feeling good about things, I've become short-tempered and sensitive to the slightest things going wrong.
So yeah, like I said, I don't understand it at all. Clearly, I am missing something. That happens sometimes; what's obvious to other people is often obscured to me. It's possible that taking a break from my hedonistic lifestyle has caused some cognitive dissonance; I know I resent the idea that in order to have a chance to live longer, I have to chill out on a lot of the things that make life worth living. That could have something to do with it, and yet I haven't gotten to the point where I'm ready to give it up and go back to pizza and beer. I'll get to that point, eventually, but not today.
Only thing I can think of to do is to channel my rage into extra effort toward my goal, but that doesn't address the problem: where is this abominable emotion coming from? I suppose I could see a shrink, but that hasn't been all that useful for me in the past.
I figured maybe by writing about it, I'd gain some insight. But now I've done that, and I haven't gotten any ideas. |
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