How did imaginary numbers come into existence? What was the first problem that required use of imaginary number?

Question

How did imaginary numbers come into existence? What was the first problem that required use of imaginary number?

In: 760

Answer 1

I’ll just add on to others. These numbers are called imaginary only because they have no physical representation. An imaginary number exists as a concept.

The concept of, say, a dragon has no actual impact on reality without human interaction. Imaginary numbers would affect reality regardless of the presence of humankind. They are only imaginary because we define things as real/imaginary in relation to *our* ability to interact with them.