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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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Fun fact: the word "nice" used to mean "stupid." It comes to us from Middle English, by way of a Latin word meaning "ignorant."
Just something to keep in mind the next time someone calls you a nice person.
PROMPT July 9th
Write about the last time you did something nice for yourself.
I suppose many people live for others, always trying to be thoughtful and doing stuff to please other people. Some take it to an extreme, thinking that they don't have to do anything to please themselves.
I'm not one of those people.
Don't get me wrong; I try to be considerate of others' feelings. I'm not always successful, but I'm working on it. Slowly. I certainly don't go out of my way to make other people miserable or be rude.
Point is, a much harder prompt would be "Write about the last time you did something nice for someone else." Well, I shared my beer with my housemate yesterday; I suppose that counts. If that's tomorrow's prompt, though, it's probably still going to be the same thing.
Contrariwise, I can always find something I do for myself. For instance, in the Before Time, I used to get a massage every month. Some might call it decadence; I call it physical therapy.
On Tuesday, I walked up to the local taphouse and got lunch (and beer) there, on their patio. And just yesterday (Wednesday), I had More Beer, here at home. This is the beer I shared, but mostly it was for me. So that's the direct answer to the prompt: indulging in malt beverage this past afternoon.
But I can't do the one thing I really want to do, which is travel. I had all kinds of plans to go on a road trip in August. Well, that's not happening. Part of the point of traveling, for me, is visiting restaurants and purveyors of fine fermented beverages, and while some of those may be open, I have no desire to potentially spread a dread disease.
I'm nice like that.
And I'll leave you with this Buddhist monk covering Judas Priest. Just because.
And now I've done something nice for all of you. |
© 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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