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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 23rd Today’s prompt is from Eric Wharton ![]() If you won a free trip to any foreign country, all expenses paid in your own private jet, and had the time, where would you go? Ooooh, this one's easy! Mars. Wait, country, not planet. Damn. Still easy. Belgium. Go here and take a look at the Belgian flag: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Flag_of_Belgium.svg/20... Ever wonder what the colors represented? I finally figured it out: Chocolate, Beer, and Waffles. You know, the three things Belgium is most known for. And they're all delicious. Essentials aside, it just looks like a great place to visit. The only downside is the country can't figure out what language it wants to speak. There's no such thing as "Belgian," so half the country speaks French and the other half speaks Dutch. Pretty sure "beer" is pronounced "beer" in both languages, though, so I'll be okay. Well, free trip or not, I'm planning to go there sometime in the next couple of years. I'm just not sure I'll want to come back afterwards. |