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By definition, i^2=-1

Which also means: i=sqrt(-1)

This may seem odd that such a number can be, since you may notice that all normal numbers, when squared, result in a positive number (e.g. (-3)^2=9, 0^2=0, 2^2=4). These "normal" numbers are called real numbers. Numbers that result in a negative number when squared are called "imaginary numbers". They don't lie on the real number line. i is the imaginary unit, just like 1 is the real unit.

Don't let the names confuse you, imaginary numbers can be just as real and useful as real numbers, that's just a name that stuck with them.

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Q: What does i squared mean in mathematices?
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