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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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Write about your ideal weekend.
One of the many great things about being me is that every day is a weekend day.
Alternatively, you could say that I have no weekends, but despite my pessimism, I prefer to think of it as the former.
I do pay attention to what day it is - it helps to have an idea of what business are open at which hours, and if I can expect to deal with traffic if I have to venture out. So, yes, I'm aware that it's Saturday night and I've once again spent it sitting at home watching Netflix and taking care of some stuff here on WDC. When I go out, I tend to eat bad (but delicious) food and drink alcohol, which are two of my favorite activities, but I'm still committed to losing weight and those activities are anathema to that.
Now, if I did those things every day, I'd say that my ideal weekend would be a break from it. But since I don't - well, I do eat food (almost) every day, but it's low-calorie fare, and I drink maybe 2-4 times a month now - then my ideal weekend would involve eating pizza and getting drunk.
For the record, that's been my ideal weekend for as long as I've been drinking.
Since we're talking Platonic ideals here, I might as well throw in gambling, also. But, again ideally, it would have to result in only a small loss of money - just enough to call it an entertainment expense. If I'm not in a casino, though, any kind of gaming is fine - video, or playing D&D with friends, or whatever.
What I'm doing now - restricting my activities in hopes of a beneficial result in the future - well, that's not the kind of thing I usually do. It feels like a foreign country. Instant gratification is more my thing, as nothing I've ever actually put effort into has ended up being worth the cost.
It might be important to note certain things that I'm sure would be a part of some others' lists, that are conspicuously absent from mine:
Fishing
Hiking
...really, any outdoor activity
Anything remotely productive
Sex
Catching up on sleep (no need)
Shopping
Consequently, my ideal weekend would be in a casino in Vegas (one with good restaurants and great drink selection, which is most of them), never venturing outdoors, and not losing too much at blackjack. However, weekends in Vegas tend to be too crowded for me, so I'll declare the weekend to be Monday and Tuesday for my purposes.
I'm thinking maybe sometime in August. |
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