0
Any physical motion which is periodic, such as an oscillating beam, string, wire, pendulum, electronic signal, or electromagnetic wave can be represented by a complex number function. This can make calculations with the various components simpler than with real numbers and sines and cosines.
Still curious? Ask our experts.
Chat with our AI personalities
Rafa
Rene
EzraAdd your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What careers use complex numbers?
Engineering (especially electrical engineering), Math, Physics mainly.
Jobs that require the use of imaginary numbers?
Physics (e.g., quantum mechanics, relativity, other subfields) makes use of imaginary numbers. "Complex analysis" (i.e., calculus that includes imaginary numbers) can also be used to evaluate difficult integrals and to perform other mathematical tricks. Engineering, especially Electrical Engineering makes use of complex and imaginary numbers to simplify analysis of some circuits and waveforms.
Why do you use complex numbers?
Complex numbers can help visualize physical effects like the electromagnetic fields around wires carrying current. Refer to the link below.
Where did complex and imaginary numbers come from?
The 16th century Italian mathematician, Gerolamo Cardano was the first to use imaginary and complex numbers in his work on cubic equations.
What are the applications of complex numbers in real life?
As with many other topics of advanced math, it depends whether your "real life" includes working in some engineering area, or not. If you work in electrical engineering or electronics, you will use complex numbers on a daily basis; similarly if you do a lot of math for some reason.Complex Numbers (ones involving the imaginary unit 'i' which is defined to handle the square root of -1) are a convenient way to describe the behavior of some electric circuits and waves.One thing you may encounter in your 'real life' are uninterruptible power supplies (UPS - what keeps your computer running when the power goes out). You will see ratings such as 500 VA / 300 W. This has to do with Complex Power. Electric circuits, which have inductances (such as transformers and electric motors) or capacitors, behave in a way that is described by complex numbers. While Volts X Amps equals Watts, the 300 W is the 'real power' (the amount available to do work), and the 500 VA is the apparent power (the total power that the power supply is capable of producing). The reactive power (due to capacitance & inductance) is represented by the imaginary component and it is at right angles to the real power (represented by the real component).Another use of complex numbers is in the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) - one of the most ubiquitous algorithms - used heavily for signal processing. If you have a digital camera, a cell phone, an LCD - FFT is there, bringing complex numbers along.The complex equation w=z+1/z is a basic formula used for designing air foils-airplane wings and Figuring out flow forces around a circular object in water for instance.Please see the related links for details.
