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. |
Yep, still doing "JAFBG" [XGC]. But all this time, I've been dropping links into my Blog Fodder folder so I'll have stuff to write about after January. What's your strongest held belief that you would defend at all costs? At all costs? I don't know that I could possibly believe in anything strongly enough to defend it at all costs. I mean, it's like: Me: Science is the best method we have for underst- Them: *chambers a shotgun round* Me: Religion works too. Or: Me: Cats make far superior pets than d- Them: *holds knife at my throat* Me: Dogs are great pets. I suppose that means that my most strongly held belief is that no one should kill me, but I'm not willing to die or be tortured to defend that one, either. I don't even know what that would look like. Some sort of infinite recursion paradox, I guess. The closest thing I can think of, the one hill that I've said I would die on, is the one involving the definition of a Blue Moon. I know I've banged on it in here before, but the tl;dr is: People think a Blue Moon is what you call the second full moon of a Gregorian calendar month -- this is false; it is actually the third full moon in a season containing four full moons. Like I said, I've ranted about this before: "Once in a Blue Moon" "More Tricks Than Treats" "Cold Moon" "Balance" And even more from my dust-collecting offsite travel blog. It's not just the naming thing itself that hackles my raises, but that, even when the error is pointed out, people still stick with the false information that was first presented to them. So if there were anything I'd defend at all costs, it'd be- *notices red laser dots on my chest* Um, clearly the moon is blue because it's made of Stilton. |