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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. |
I learned a new word today! Zythology Never heard of it before, though I'm familiar with its sister, oenology. Turns out zythology is the study of beer. Dammit! I wish I'd known you could study beer back in college. Oh, wait, I did. I just didn't know what to call it. It's a nice word. It reminds me of another of my favorite words, syzygy. And it's kind of like mythology and theology. In other news, I finally got my Oktoberfest. The nearby taphouse doubled its fest selection with an offering from Great Lakes Brewing. Now that I've completed that quest, I'll need to find someplace with Pumking ![]() |