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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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I figured I could go to one more brewery in the Minneapolis area before taking off, so yesterday I did that, but I dragged Turkey DrumStik and Davy Kraken along with me.
First, though, we wanted to find a place to have lunch, which can be difficult on a holiday -- it's hard to know in advance who's open on the Fourth of July. Google is of only limited help; they aren't always updated with holiday hours. But we found a Japanese restaurant near where I'm staying. The place was nearly empty, and we had a whole hibachi table to ourselves.
I don't get to experience that style nearly enough; I'm usually alone, and it's just not as much fun by yourself. So I was glad we were all on board with that for lunch.
That's when I said, okay, one more brewery -- but again, we had to find one that was open. But I reasoned that breweries would be one of the things that would want to be open on a holiday like this one, because the only thing more traditional than blowing one's fingers off on July 4 in America is beer.
Behold, a brewery called Dangerous Man was, indeed, open, and it wasn't even very crowded. Good beer there. They had a peanut butter porter and a chocolate milk stout, which of course I couldn't help but mixing because... you know. And I hadn't seen Davy Kraken in about a decade, so I'm glad we all had a chance to hang out before I leave.
The next few days are going to be pretty boring, I think. There's not much in South Dakota or Wyoming. Then it'll be a few days in Salt Lake City which, believe it or not, has some excellent beer. And probably some other stuff, too; I wouldn't know. |
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