OpenEuphoria

Re: What atoms ought to be!

• Posted by JJProg at CYBERBURY.NET Jul 03, 1999
• 530 views

EU>What is your reason for needing to use complex and imaginary numbers
EU>in Euphoria ?? What real world application do you use them in ??
EU>The average user does not need to use the square-root of -1
EU>or need to solve quadratic equations. Please explain to me why I
EU>need complex numbers.
EU>Thanks Bernie

I have two things to add to this thread:

First, the need for complex numbers:

Complex and imaginary numbers are very useful in many applications.
Solving some quadratic equations and factoring some polynomials require
complex numbers. I am almost certain, that complex numbers are used in
physics, though I don't know any examples.

Since I (the square root of -1) is a number (an imaginary one, but a
number), there can be mathematical expressions that use it. Let's see if
I can find an example in my notes...

Ok, here's an equation:
V = ZI
V = Voltage (Volts)
Z = Impedence (Ohms)
I = Current (amps)

Somehow, though I don't know how (I only know a little about
electronics), V, Z, and I can be complex numbers. So probably someone
designing an electronics program (who knew how to use this equation)
would need to use complex numbers.

Sorry if my explination of the need for complex numbers is lacking, but
my point is that they are useful.

Now, my suggestion for implementing complex numbers:

i (sqrt(-1)) is like any other variable, so I suggest that someone (perhaps
I'll beable to after I learn a little more math - I'd be glad to help if
anyone undertakes this project) write an algebraic library
(perhaps calculus too, but I don't know what I'm talking about here - I
just finished Algebra II). This could greatly simplify some tasks, and
would be in my opinion much more elegant and useful than just a complex
number library. It would also be optional, so it wouldn't add complexity
to most Euphoria programs that will never have use for such a library,
but it would be incredibly valuable for those programs that do need it.

Jeffrey Fielding
JJProg at cyberbury.net
http://members.tripod.com/~JJProg/