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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 an entry inspired by any three WDC emoticons. You pick the emoticons, but make sure they are tied to your entry in some way.
I don't speak emoji.
What I mean is, unless it's, like, a smiley-face or a laughing face, it might as well be a bunch of x's. If someone were to send me a text containing a string of emojis, my mind would simply go blank; I wouldn't even be able to go, "eggplant, poop, alien, waving woman, googly eyes," because my gaze just slides off the string - let alone attempt to translate that into whatever metaphorical language.
Similarly, I don't text people emojis unless it's, like, a laugh, or something equally simple and unambiguous.
Honestly, I miss the early days, when we had to work to make our emotions clear. If we couldn't do so with our words, we'd have to come up with strings of characters to emulate facial expressions. It was a bright, purer time. Kids these days don't know how easy they have it. Get off my lawn.
But I'm used to the WDC emoticons; they're clear and easy to understand.
When I was a baby WDCer, we didn't have as many emoticons. For this entry, I'll pick the three that made me the most excited to finally see as SMs released them during my tenure here.
- believe it or not, the "angel" emoticon had no mirror-universe doppelganger for a long time. I don't remember what year the Devil one came out, but I do remember finally feeling that my life was complete.
I have simple needs.
and all the other donut emoticons - while I eschew the actual pastries (as opposed to chew them) these days for obvious reasons, I was glad to see these appear a couple years back. I use them instead of bullets, especially when giving lists of suggestions in reviews. They don't "mean" anything; they're just tasty, delicious, forbidden donuts. *drool*
But.
is the WDC emoticon I use the most. Also for obvious reasons. So many things elicit that reaction from me, and its absence was a pox upon my existence before it finally showed up in the list.
Now, of course, I can also do this:
But I'm still glad for the emoticon. |
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