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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.
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I do miss road trips.
PROMPT May 17th
Write about a fictional road trip where you meet up with your fellow competitors from the 30DBC! Who do you visit first? Do you bring any gifts? Tell us about the crazy blogger shenanigans you all get up to!
I have, indeed, visited several people from WDC while on the road, coast to coast in the US and even in exotic countries (the UK). Maybe someday I'll be able to do that again. Meanwhile, even thinking about it pisses me off. It pisses me off enough to get really drunk.
So for this fictional road trip, for once, I'm not going to be doing the driving. Y'all are coming to me.
You can bring beer, or wine, or scotch, or tequila, or, well, any booze of choice. I suppose if you're opposed to the very idea of alcohol (and somehow want to visit anyway), I will graciously accept chocolate. I promise I won't try to shame you into drinking.
Don't bring your underage kids, or dogs. Cats are acceptable. So are hamsters, but here, sign this waiver. I have cats.
I have Movie Night planned. Don't worry; I'll spring for the microwave popcorn. While the temptation is there to share my all-time favorite movies, they don't exactly have crowd appeal. Is Cats out on streaming yet? No? What's that? It'll always be "No?" Oh, very well. How about the Complete Works of Zack Snyder? Hey, where's everybody going?
Okay, okay, then comedy it is. Normally I'd propose Monty Python, but the plague scene in Holy Grail might hit a little too close to home. So we're going on a Gene Wilder kick. Wonka first to warm up, and then the Holy Trinity of Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and The Producers.
By the time it's over, you'll all be crashed in the living room and it won't matter that there's only one guest bedroom.
I'll even cook breakfast the next morning, assuming someone else goes shopping for eggs, biscuits, bacon, pancake mix, and OJ. I'm not leaving the house.
And don't worry, I won't make you schlep any leftover booze back with you. I'll heroically volunteer to hold onto that.
Seriously, though, I miss road trips. |
© Copyright 2024 Robert Waltz (UN: cathartes02 at Writing.Com). All rights reserved. Robert Waltz has granted InkSpot.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
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