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. |
Most Saturdays, for the last couple of months, I've done a travel plans update. This will be the last one: I leave on Friday, and I'm still not ready. That is all. ...okay, maybe not all. And I did get a bunch of stuff taken care of. I got more suitable luggage (pun intended. Suitable? Suitcase? No? Damn.) I acquired a relatively cheap travel laptop so that, hopefully, I can make everyone here jealous by posting what I'm doing (I said this was the last plan update, not the last you'll hear of it). I checked with my mobile provider to ensure I'd still have connectivity over there (of course, I don't really trust them). I even made a few clothing purchases specifically for the trip. Still, I have a few more things to do and less than a week to do them. Then there's my utter lack of confidence in actually trying to speak French, combined with knowing that I'll be spending a few days in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. I suppose I could bully my way through like a stereotypical American tourist, but I'd really rather not. Oh, well. "Beer" is pronounced pretty close to the same way in English, Dutch, and French, so I'm sure I'll be fine. |