What do we call a number expressible in the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i² = −1?
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Complex number
Complex numbers allow mathematicians to solve equations that have no real solutions, such as finding the square root of a negative number. They are represented on a two-dimensional plane where the horizontal axis is for real numbers and the vertical axis is for imaginary numbers. This system is crucial in modern technology, particularly for modeling alternating currents in electrical engineering.
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- What is the term for a number expressed in the form a + bi, consisting of both a real and an imaginary part?