Complex numbers

A number with two components.
Written as a+bi where a is the real part and b is the imaginary part.

Recall that real numbers are those that lie on a number line. Complex numbers extend this idea to numbers that lie on a two dimensional flat plane. Complex numbers have two components called the real and imaginary parts written like this: Parts of complex numbers where i is the square root of -1.

They can be plotted on a 2-dimensional plane

If we plot the real part along the horizontal x axis, and the imaginary part along the vertical y axis, each complex number occupies one unique spot on the plane. In the figure below, as you drag the orange point around, you can see what complex number corresponds to that location.

What are they used for?

They are used in many engineering disciplines, for example for solving equations that describe complex electrical circuits. Becausde the letter i is used to mean current in electrical engineering, it is often replaced with the letter j instead. -