What is the point of imaginary numbers in quadratic formulas?

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What is the point of imaginary numbers in quadratic formulas?

2007-01-17 14:25:05 · 2 answers · asked by Stephen B 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics

2 answers

Not every polynomial equation has a solution in the real numbers, so by defining i = sqrt(-1), every polynomial equation has a solution.

Many different quantities in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics disciplines can be explained in terms of imaginary numbers, for example voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, the sine and cosine functions, etc.

2007-01-17 14:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by vaca loca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋

you might read "Imagining numbers " By Barry Mazur, which writes about this

2007-01-17 16:48:14 · answer #2 · answered by Theta40 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋