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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. |
https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/a-harvard-linguists-13-simple-tips-for-beco... A Harvard Linguist's (and Bill Gates's Favorite Author) 13 Simple Tips for Becoming a Great Writer Is one tip not doing weird things with possessives and parentheticals in a headline? No? Oh well. Writing well is hard, but Steven Pinker managed to boil the essentials down to just 13 tweet-length tips. There are several reasons I don't do Twatter. One of them is that it caters to short attention spans. Another is oh crap I'm out of characters I'm just going to continue this in another Twit. Obviously, when it comes to turning a correct and compelling phrase, the guy knows what he's talking about. And thankfully, he's willing to share. Obviously, it would be wrong of me to snark on the advice of a guy with those kind of credentials, right? That would make me, like, the most arrogant asshole, wouldn't it? I mean, that's what I usually do, but in this case, I think the advice is worth reading for writers. Give it a shot. |