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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.
September 9, 2020 at 12:02am September 9, 2020 at 12:02am
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What "future self?" This is entirely too optimistic.
PROMPT September 9th
Write a letter to your future self. Write the date you would want to read the letter again at the top of your entry (you can choose how far in the future this date is; One year, five years, twenty years, etc.) What would you want to tell your future self? What would you want to know from them?
To: Me. Date: September 9, 2021.
Hey, asshole. Got that flying car yet? No? Still alive, at least? Well, I'm going to assume that you are and go from there.
Please at least tell me 2021 has been better than 2020 was. Somehow I think I'm going to be disappointed.
But hey, you're starting to get the senior discounts. So at least the movie theater is cheaper. Assuming it's still around; it wasn't looking good as of last week.
Most importantly, though, I trust you've discovered more new and interesting beers. Preferably in Belgium. No, don't tell me you didn't make it to Belgium because the EU is still closed to us plague rats in the US. I don't want to know.
I hope you've at least done some traveling; I shall be quite disappointed if you still haven't moved from this spot except to go to the local purveyors of fine malt beverages, including said movie theater.
I'm guessing Elder Scrolls 6 is still "sometime in the future."
But, you know, I suppose if nothing much changes in the next 365 days, things could be worse. Zombies. Alien invasion. Giant Meteor. The inevitable return of the Old Gods, squamous and rugose.
They could also be better, but I'd rather not think about that. Hope only leads to disappointment; only pessimism can bring happiness. Well, pessimism and beer. Well, pessimism, beer, and some of the movies that are supposed to come out in the next year.
Or, alternatively, maybe you'll come across this entry and have a nice chuckle about just how wrong I was. That would actually please me. As you know, that's the great thing about being a pessimist: you can only be pleasantly surprised.
Crack open a cold one for me. And write back soon.
Regards,
Waltz (from one year ago) |
© 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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