>>> "The imaginary axis is just the result of a mathematician and too much to drink." <<
>
>I think that's also how they came up with i (square root of -1).
>
>Mike

The square root of -1, i, and the imaginary axis (in summary, the complex plane) may all seem strange concepts to people unfamiliar with them.

However, I understand that the complex plane has immense value, both to the theoretical mathematician, and to the practical engineer. Let me give two examples.

For the theoretical mathematician: for instance, complex numbers make it possible to prove theorems about real numbers.

For the practical engineer: calculations with electrical values (impedance, voltage, current), when involving AC, come out very neatly with complex numbers.

Complex numbers are definitely not the result of too much drink; rather, they are a stroke of genius - albeit one that is difficult to understand as such, by the majority who don't use complex numbers in their daily work.

And the imaginary numbers are badly named - they are just as "real" or "imaginary" as, for instance, a fraction, or the square root of 2.

Hilmar.