28/11/2007, 08:51 PM
To understand this post you need a certain amount of maths knowledge and/or a TI84+ calculator. I'd recommend both.
The complex number i is defined as the square root of (-1).
When you raise i to powers, there is a pattern:
i^0 = 1
i^1 = √-1
i^2 = -1
i^3 = -1√-1
i^4 = 1
i^5 = √-1
i^6 = -1
i^7 = -1√-1
i^8 = 1
i^9 = √-1
i^10 = -1
i^11 = -1√-1
i^12 = 1
etc.
As you can see and calculate, any power of i that is a multiple of four is 1, because any even power eliminates the complex part and -1 * -1 = 1.
However, on the TI83/84, try typing i^4. Good. Now try i^8. Lolwut??? Same goes for i^12.
Lets do it by hand:
i^8 = i^(2^4)
i ^ 2 = √-1 * √-1 = -1
(-1)^4 (even on your calculator) = 1. So why isn't it one on the TI??
Another lie:
Take a very small number, e.g. 0.0000000000001 (1x10^-13)
Type it into your calc. It'll probably say either the same number again or 1E-13, which is the same but in scientific notation.
Now let's just get one very simple thing straight. Imagine any number x. Add one to get x + 1. Now substract one. You get x, right? So x + 1 - 1 = x, yeah? That's so simple, its unbelievable a calculator can't even do it! Try this: type 0.0000000000001 + 1 - 1.
Now you will never trust your calculator again.
The complex number i is defined as the square root of (-1).
When you raise i to powers, there is a pattern:
i^0 = 1
i^1 = √-1
i^2 = -1
i^3 = -1√-1
i^4 = 1
i^5 = √-1
i^6 = -1
i^7 = -1√-1
i^8 = 1
i^9 = √-1
i^10 = -1
i^11 = -1√-1
i^12 = 1
etc.
As you can see and calculate, any power of i that is a multiple of four is 1, because any even power eliminates the complex part and -1 * -1 = 1.
However, on the TI83/84, try typing i^4. Good. Now try i^8. Lolwut??? Same goes for i^12.
Lets do it by hand:
i^8 = i^(2^4)
i ^ 2 = √-1 * √-1 = -1
(-1)^4 (even on your calculator) = 1. So why isn't it one on the TI??
Another lie:
Take a very small number, e.g. 0.0000000000001 (1x10^-13)
Type it into your calc. It'll probably say either the same number again or 1E-13, which is the same but in scientific notation.
Now let's just get one very simple thing straight. Imagine any number x. Add one to get x + 1. Now substract one. You get x, right? So x + 1 - 1 = x, yeah? That's so simple, its unbelievable a calculator can't even do it! Try this: type 0.0000000000001 + 1 - 1.
Now you will never trust your calculator again.