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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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Congratulations on making it to the last week of the competition! You all should be proud! How do you celebrate your successes? What is your favorite thing to give yourself as a reward?
Yeah, see, that doesn't work for me.
Oh, I've tried it before. "Okay, Waltz, if you finish NaNoWriMo, go out and buy yourself that single-malt scotch you've been wanting." And then I came to the realization that a) I could buy the scotch, regardless; and b) I'm much more likely to write if I drink scotch, so waiting until I'm done writing would be counterproductive.
Okay, (b) there might be a rationalization.
Point is, I have no self-control. If I *had* self-control, I could just do the Thing I'd otherwise try to reward myself for, thus negating the need for any kind of reward. Since I do not have self-control, I practice self-indulgence.
Oddly, I get some things done anyway.
One of the reasons I'm working on weight loss is because I intend to go to Scotland next year around this time. That's when they have the Islay festival, and Islay makes the best single-malt scotch. (That last sentence might be opinion, not fact. But it's a fact for me.) And when I visit Scotland, I don't want to look like, or be, a stereotypical ugly American.
So I guess you could say that my reward for hitting my weight-loss goal would be lots and lots of bottles of single-malt Scotch.
But that doesn't take into account the fact that I plan on going anyway. It's more like a bit of extra motivation than it is a reward.
It probably says a lot about me that I'm not losing weight because of heart issues or potential diabetes, but so I'll feel more comfortable when I drink. I'm okay with that. |
© 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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