Questions tagged [complex-numbers]
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4
questions
37
votes
13answers
17k views
Why do we teach complex numbers?
In algebra II, USA, we teach our students complex numbers. However, after algebra II, they never use complex numbers until pretty much complex analysis. The whole point of teaching them complex ...
8
votes
2answers
365 views
Examples of application problems of coordinate geometry in the complex plane?
I am currently writing some basic introductory texts to
complex numbers for third-year high school students (Denmark). My main goal is to introduce complex numbers as a practical tool that both ...
3
votes
4answers
656 views
When does thinking $(-8)^{1/3} = -2$ result in problems for an undergraduates?
In high school we learn that the cube root of $-8$ is $-2$. Much later some of us learn about the single valued natural logarithm of a complex number, and that $w^z = e^{z\cdot Lz(w)}$ when $w$ and $z$...
11
votes
6answers
532 views
Pedagogical quandary with the definition of $i$
I'm not sure how the concept of $i$ is taught in other places, but in our district the curriculum defines $i = \sqrt{-1}$, which is how it has been traditionally taught (for a while now) and also how ...
