Not for the faint of art. |
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. |
Dealt with rain all day yesterday. I can't complain too much, though. Had I stayed home, I would have had to endure many days of rain, mostly spun off from Hurricane Helene. We didn't get anywhere close to the worst of it where I live, and being in other parts of the South would have sucked even worse. So I try to keep things in perspective. Still, rain on vacation isn't ideal. I walked around Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) anyway, slipping and tripping on ancient cobblestones and occasionally juggling my umbrella and camera phone to get a shot of something interesting. As I mentioned in my previous entry, the travel agent had lined up a food-tasting tour for me. This involved more walking (in the rain) around Vieux Lyon, trying to keep up with younger, healthier tourists while cramming ourselves into tiny shops. The food and wine were worth it, though. This place has its own traditional cuisine, which mostly involves cured meats and cheese, and, needless to say, both pair really well with the local wine. I'll have more to say about the wine in future entries, but I did want to share this lucky pic I caught on the way to the food tour. I've censored the faces for privacy; what's important are the words on the woman's umbrella. It may not mean much if you're not familiar with French, and, as with anything funny, explaining it negates its impact (though I might comment with the explanation later, if people want). But it made my entire day and almost made up for the relentless downpour. |