Imaginary number: Difference between revisions
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In mathematics, an '''imaginary number''' is a [[complex number]] that is not [[real number|real]]. The term is not generally used because complex numbers (e.g., <math>3 + 4i</math>), have two components, a real part (in this case 3), and an imaginary part (in this case 4). A complex number is said to be real if the imaginary part is 0, and in all other cases it is non-real. In most cases, when people speak of imaginary numbers, they are not referring to complex numbers which are not real, but complex numbers with a real part of 0. For clarity, such numbers are usually called ''pure imaginary''. | |||
For more information, see the article [[Complex number]]. | |||
Revision as of 10:32, 16 April 2007
In mathematics, an imaginary number is a complex number that is not real. The term is not generally used because complex numbers (e.g., ), have two components, a real part (in this case 3), and an imaginary part (in this case 4). A complex number is said to be real if the imaginary part is 0, and in all other cases it is non-real. In most cases, when people speak of imaginary numbers, they are not referring to complex numbers which are not real, but complex numbers with a real part of 0. For clarity, such numbers are usually called pure imaginary.
For more information, see the article Complex number.