Can someone tell me why we need complex numbers? Not what they are and not what careers they are used in. Just what do we need them for? 3 examples is what I really need, please and thank you.
2006-12-21 13:44:11 · 3 answers · asked by Ann 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
I cannot think of another "practical" use for complex numbers other than in electrical engineering. They appear in quantum mechanics equations and in relativity, but those aren't easily understood. In electrical engineering, a sine wave is represented as a complex number. A sine wave has two key parameters: amplitude and phase. They are expressed as: A*sin(wt+ø). The complex representation of that wave would be a+b*i, where A=√[a^2+b^2] and ø=arctan(b/a). Summing waves of different amplitudes and phases is difficult using the sine notation, but easy using the complex notation: just add the real ("a") parts and the imaginary ("b") parts: a + bi = c + di = (a+c) + (b+d)i.
2006-12-22 19:51:49 · answer #1 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Complex numbers are used in electrical engineering. The way the real and imaginary parts interact forms a good model for the way the electric and magnetic fields interact. Without them, the math would be significantly harder.
2006-12-21 13:56:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
complex numbers helps us to solve some mathematics which doenst give definite answers for example root square of -1
2006-12-21 13:52:06 · answer #3 · answered by jaison_healer18 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋