Imaginary number: Difference between revisions
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imported>Michael Hardy (Added a caveat.) |
imported>Jitse Niesen (clarify antecedent (see also talk page) and remove link to real number because it doesn't explain "real part") |
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In mathematics, an '''imaginary number''' is a [[complex number]] whose | In mathematics, an '''imaginary number''' is a [[complex number]] whose real part is zero. A complex number is said to be real if the imaginary part is 0, and in all other cases it is non-real. Sometimes complex numbers whose real part is zero are called "pure imaginary numbers" to distinguish them from other complex numbers that are not real. | ||
The terms ''real'' and ''imaginary'' are misnomers; they should not be taken literally. | The terms ''real'' and ''imaginary'' are misnomers; they should not be taken literally. | ||
Revision as of 07:59, 17 April 2007
In mathematics, an imaginary number is a complex number whose real part is zero. A complex number is said to be real if the imaginary part is 0, and in all other cases it is non-real. Sometimes complex numbers whose real part is zero are called "pure imaginary numbers" to distinguish them from other complex numbers that are not real.
The terms real and imaginary are misnomers; they should not be taken literally.
For more information, see Complex number.