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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. |
PROMPT September 1st Celebrate 19 years of Writing.Com by writing a thank you letter to someone on WDC or a thank you letter to the website itself. Then, visit "Writing.Com Party Central 2024!" ![]() What do you want me to do, get mushy? I don't do mushy. But let's give this "thank you" thing a shot. ![]() ![]() ![]() Dear The StoryMaster ![]() ![]() 19 years, huh? Funny, it only feels like 15. Oh, that's right, I've "only" been here for 15 of those years. Sometimes I still feel like a newbie, but that's because there's so much to do here I still haven't exhausted all the possibilities - a testament to all the good work you've put in to keep things interesting. 19 years is, as you know, a long time in cyberspace. I can't think of too many websites that have been around, without fundamental changes, for longer than that. True, my Amazon account is older, but when I signed my life over to Bezos, it was still "Earth's Biggest Bookstore." The streaming video that sucks away even more of what could be writing time didn't come until later. A noteworthy accomplishment. But there's more. See, I've been noodling around on the internet for a long time, way longer than 19 years, and it can be a real shithole. Trolls, scammers, assholes, racists... people who are there to tear you down, pounce on your inadequacies, splatter you with sewage. But not here. At least not for very long. And that's remarkable. You've created a community that, for the most part, works. Sure, there's friction - can't avoid that - and it's impossible to please everyone, but you have, for the most part, built a network of relationships based on mutual courtesy and respect. Because of Writing.Com, I feel like I've grown: as a writer and as a person. More than that, though, I've made friends here - lifetime friends. I've traveled to places I might never have otherwise seen, met people from all over the world both online and in person, had pleasant conversations with people very different from me. This has been my cyberhome for a few days shy of 15 years, and even when I don't write, rare is the day that I don't at least visit, check in, see what's going on. I'm glad to be here; I'm proud to support the site; I'm honored to be a part of this community. So. Simply: Thank you. ![]() ![]() ![]() Okay, enough of that. On to the next part of today's mission. I'll just click on the Party Central link and... Holy forking shotballs! That's a lot of stuff. Looks like there's something there for everyone. But one activity stands out for me. See, when I first got here 15 years ago, most of what I stuffed into my port was written for one contest. It's been around longer than I have, obviously, and I have the honor of being involved with it to this day - as a judge, but also sometimes as a contestant as well. In addition to the "contest" aspect, it's just a terrific writing exercise. Yes, of course I am talking about
So that's what I'm most excited about, if only because I'm a part of it. But I'll be checking out other things as well. |