any number of the form a + ib, where a and b are real numbers and i = √–1
number (sense 1)
complex number in American English
any number expressed as a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit, -1: if b is zero it is a real number, but if b is not zero it is an imaginary number
complex number in Electrical Engineering
(kɒmplɛks nʌmbər)
Word forms: (regular plural) complex numbers
noun
(Electrical engineering: Circuits, Computing and control)
A complex number is a number that is handled in 2 dimensions at the same time, as opposed to the single dimension for simple numbers.
We can't combine the two parts of the complex number because they represent different things, the real part and the imaginary part.
Unlike electrical resistance, the impedance of an electric circuit can be a complex number, but the same unit, the ohm, is used for both quantities.
A complex number is a number that is handled in 2 dimensions at the same time, as opposed to the singledimension for simple numbers.