Imaginary Numbers: An Absurd Starting Point or a Mathematical Necessity?

Abstract

If a negative number multiplied by itself equals a positive number, then it’s hard to understand the square root of a negative number. [1]

I read somewhere, but I cannot find the source: “When we teach complex numbers, we usually start with an absurd assumption. We define i to be the square root of -1. Then, we construct this elegant theory. But since we start with an absurd assumption, many people have this lingering doubt. We don’t have to start from an absurd point.” Yes, the statement is right I think. What is this absurd point that is the starting point for imaginary numbers and hence for complex numbers?

Keywords

NA

  • License

    Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)

  • Language & Pages

    English, 45-58

  • Classification

    LCC Code: QA331