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mathematics A number of the form x+iy where i is the square
"real" and "imaginary" part. Complex numbers can be plotted
An alternative,
polar notation, expresses a complex number
and t are real numbers, known as the magnitude and phase. The
two forms are related:
r e^it = r cos(t) + i r sin(t)
= x + i y
where
x = r cos(t)
y = r sin(t)
Complex numbers are useful in many fields of physics, such as
electromagnetism because they are a useful way of representing
a magnitude and phase as a single quantity.
(1995-04-10)