Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

complex number

American  

noun

  1. a mathematical expression (a +bi ) in which a and b are real numbers and i 2 = −1.


complex number British  

noun

  1. any number of the form a + i b , where a and b are real numbers and i = √–1 See number

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

complex number Scientific  
/ kŏm′plĕks′ /
  1. A number that can be expressed in terms of i (the square root of −1). Mathematically, such a number can be written a + bi, where a and b are real numbers. An example is 4 + 5 i.


Etymology

Origin of complex number

First recorded in 1825–35


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

We had observed that, in such a scenario, which physicists call a quantum network, the Pál-Vértesi-McKague-Mosca-Gisin method could not reproduce the experimental outcomes predicted by complex number quantum theory.

From Scientific American ● Apr. 24, 2023

To divide complex numbers, multiply both the numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the denominator to eliminate the complex number from the denominator.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 1, 2021

Before multiplying, each square root of a negative number must be written as a complex number.

From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020

The diagram helps us visualize the complex number system.

From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020

Take any complex number and measure its angle.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training