Single Idea 10858

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / k. Imaginary numbers]

Full Idea

The realisation that brought 'i' into the toolkit of physicists and engineers was that you could extend the 'number line' into a new dimension, with an imaginary number axis at right angles to it. ...We now have a 'number plane'.

Gist of Idea

By adding an axis of imaginary numbers, we get the useful 'number plane' instead of number line

Source

Brian Clegg (Infinity: Quest to Think the Unthinkable [2003], Ch.12)

Book Reference

Clegg,Brian: 'Infinity' [Robinson 2003], p.163