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. |
Not going to do my usual thing today. After eye surgery yesterday, it's difficult for me to focus on a screen. My left eye with its new lens protests against any attempt to see up close, and the right one (scheduled for next week) no longer works properly, even with my glasses. Trying to use both at the same time just gives me a headache. I'm sure things will get better (optimism from me -- who'd'a thunk it), but for tonight, I'm taking it easy. It did occur to me today that after the next surgery, my prescription glasses will no longer be of any use, and I'm not sure yet how I'm supposed to see up close to do things like reading, writing, or language lessons. Perhaps a cheap-o pair of reading glasses from the pharmacy can tide me over until my regular eye doc can measure me for new ones. But that will have to wait for at least another day or two so my eye can begin to heal. With any luck, though, I'll be able to see a movie in the theater this weekend. I can already tell that the distance vision, past about six meters or so, has greatly improved, and it's not like I need binocular vision for movie-watching. I spent a few minutes tonight just looking at the moon (with my left eye), which I haven't seen clearly in months. As for the surgery itself, the less said about that, the better, especially since I have to go through it once more. And I'm trying to be more focused (pun intended) on the results rather than the process. Well, I don't see too many red squiggly underscores here, so hopefully there isn't a huge number of typos. I don't expect to be online much today, though. With little else to do, I might empty the refrigerator of beer. At least then I'll have a good excuse for seeing double. |