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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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As a reminder, I'm traveling and thus my blog entries may be delayed or skipped.
Yesterday, I drove to Athens.
No, not the one in Greece, obviously, or the one in Georgia (the state), but the one in Ohio.
I've been here before, but that time I stayed at the edge of town and didn't really see much of it. Today I drove and walked around a good bit of Athans.
I thought I lived in a quirky college town. Well, okay, I do live in a quirky college town (look, that unpleasantness a couple of years ago was caused by tourists trucked in from out of state), but Athens makes Charlottesville seem normal.
Don't ask me to explain that, though. Yes, I know; I'm a writer and so I should be able to put it into words. But there are three breweries and one brewpub in Athens, and consequently, I'm hung over. So don't expect any kind of eloquence from me today. Perhaps another time, if I remember any of the details.
For my first trip out of state in two years, it wasn't bad. I expected everyone in West Virginia to pretend like there isn't, and never was, a pandemic, and behold, everyone I saw in West Virginia acted like there isn't and never was a pandemic. Pretty state, but goddamn it's infested with idiots.
I mean, obviously there are idiots everywhere, but most states don't make it a condition for residence. I even saw a bunch of Confederate flags
Yes, I know the flag is actually the battle flag of the Confederacy, but that's what we call it now so everyone knows what I'm talking about |
there, thus proving that no one bothers to learn history anymore either.
I should also note that the mountain ranges in WV generally run southwest to northeast (or vice-versa). Hence there aren't too many routes one can take driving northwest. Even interstates zigzag around that state, and like I said, I'm avoiding those. So it was one winding mountain road after another for me today. I like it that way. Like I said, nice scenery there.
Note: if you feel compelled to sneer at what we in the East call mountains, feel free to refrain. Yes, I know what we call "mountains" are barely even speed bumps. They're still a pain to drive across. |
© 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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