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 | 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 the real part of 0. For clarity, such numbers are usually called ''pure imaginary''. | ||
For more information, see the article [[Complex number]]. | For more information, see the article '''[[Complex number]]'''. | ||
[[Category:Mathematics Workgroup]] | |||
[[Category:CZ Live]] | |||
Revision as of 13:28, 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 the real part of 0. For clarity, such numbers are usually called pure imaginary.
For more information, see the article Complex number.