Thread: Super discussion about negative numbers on the BBC
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Old March 10th 06, 09:24 PM posted to rec.audio.tubes,uk.rec.audio
Eiron
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Posts: 782
Default Super discussion about negative numbers on the BBC
wrote:

OK... negative numbers by definition do not have square roots. But
negative numbers exist in real life. And in real life, there is a need
for their square root. So, " i " was introduced to fill that need.

Subtracting areas from areas (area X - Area Y) show an area as a
negative number. How big is that area Y if it must be square? Hence the
need for the square root of a negative number.

Simple enough?

Of course not. That isn't an example, and I know all about complex numbers.
I just don't see how they help in calculating your cardboard boxes,
which is why I asked for a simple example. You do know what an example is?
It often has numbers in it.

--
Eiron

There's something scary about stupidity made coherent - Tom Stoppard.