and also ELI16 what a an imaginary number is and how it works in real life

Question

and also ELI16 what a an imaginary number is and how it works in real life

In: Mathematics

Answer 1

First, imagine the number line containing the set of real numbers. Let’s focus on zero for a moment.

Now imagine another number line containing the set of imaginary numbers. This line runs perpendicular to the real number line and intersects at 0.

Geometrically, these two lines form a number plane containing the set of complex numbers. Multiplying a number by i rotates a number 90 degrees counterclockwise on this plane.

Now, I’m not clever enough to put this knowledge to good use in a way where only algebra would be needed when normally higher math is required, but I’ve heard of examples involving preserving direction.