A number that is expressed in terms of the square root of a negative number (usually the square root of −1, represented by i or j)
when imaginary numbers are squared, they yield a negative result
Example sentencesExamples
Using a combination of real and imaginary numbers, known as complex numbers, turns out to be sufficient to solve virtually all mathematical problems!
Imaginary numbers (such as the square root of minus one) form a direct component of the wave amplitude, and thus the probability function, of a wave/particle.
Another very significant application of the imaginary number to the physical world comes from quantum theory.
Historically, imaginary numbers first came to light when trying to solve cubic equations, rather than quadratics.
In the first Knuth describes an imaginary number system using the imaginary number 2i as its base, giving methods for the addition, subtraction and multiplication of the numbers.
Definition of imaginary number in US English:
imaginary number
noun
Mathematics
A number that is expressed in terms of the square root of a negative number (usually the square root of −1, represented by i or j)
when imaginary numbers are squared, they yield a negative result
Example sentencesExamples
Another very significant application of the imaginary number to the physical world comes from quantum theory.
Historically, imaginary numbers first came to light when trying to solve cubic equations, rather than quadratics.
Using a combination of real and imaginary numbers, known as complex numbers, turns out to be sufficient to solve virtually all mathematical problems!
In the first Knuth describes an imaginary number system using the imaginary number 2i as its base, giving methods for the addition, subtraction and multiplication of the numbers.
Imaginary numbers (such as the square root of minus one) form a direct component of the wave amplitude, and thus the probability function, of a wave/particle.