About This Author
Come closer.
|
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.
|
Reflect on the month as a whole. Any highlights from your personal life? Challenges? What were your favorite prompts from the 30DBC? Did you learn anything from or about your fellow competitors?
Highlights from my personal life: Against all odds and expectations (specifically, mine), I stuck to my eating plan and went to the gym every damn day, even though I seem to be developing a massive pain in my left foot. That is bullshit; after losing more than 60 pounds in seven months, I expected my feet to hurt less. Come on! Okay, I may have cheated on the eating thing once, because a friend was in town and I can't say "no" to a pastrami sandwich for very long (and there was beer), but you know, I lost weight anyway. So there.
Challenges: Look, I'll be honest here; I build my life around avoiding serious challenges. About the worst thing that happened to me was the power went out one night. I have a backup generator that kicks in after less than 30 seconds, but I can't seem to be arsed to put my router on an uninterruptible power supply, so the internet was out for a few minutes, while I was trying to do something here. Seriously, that was my biggest challenge so far in July, apart from the Great Pastrami Sandwich Temptation, which I failed at miserably and deliciously. (As a pessimist, I have to note that there are still three days left in the month, plenty of time for the stock market to crash or my house to burn down.) The weight loss thing has turned into a habit, not a challenge; and I don't count writing challenges like this blogging thing or weekly writing activities, because I chose those for myself.
Favorite prompts from the 30 Day Blogging Challenge: Gotta admit, I had a lot of fun with several of the prompts. The one I'm most proud of is throwing together an abecedarian poem, complete with rhyming couplets, in less than two hours, back a few entries ago. Besides, I got to think about, if not drink, beer for that one. The news story one was fun too, because that's more in line with what I do here when there's not a challenge running.
My fellow competitors: I enjoyed reading others' blogs this month, even if I didn't get to all of them because of timing. I should note that I'm not a "competition" person; I consider this a shared journey. But I feel like I got some insight and understanding into others' perspectives. Thanks for the trip, everyone! |
© 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.
|