How Imaginary Numbers Were Invented

Veritasium · 22.7M views · 2021-11-01 · 23:29

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Overview

Veritasium tells the history of how imaginary numbers arose from the quest for a general solution to the cubic equation, including the duels and secrecy among Renaissance mathematicians. It argues math had to give up the requirement that it mirror reality.

On Hacker News

HN recommends it as a well-visualized, story-driven history of complex numbers, suitable for beginners; some quibble with its framing of algebra and geometry.

Recommended by 7 HN people across 4 months · HN mentions 2021–2023

Topics

Pure mathematics Recreational & visual math

What people said

Psyladine · 2022-02 · Strong recommendation
For those interested I also highly recommend Veritasium's video[1] as an excellent explainer as well, especially regarding the roots of imaginary/complex numbers in geometry. [1] [VIDEO]
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shagie · 2023-04 · Recommendation
There's a good YouTube video on it that includes an epic math battle. Veritasium - How Imaginary Numbers Were Invented - [VIDEO] Solving the cubic was a physical thing back then. [LINK]
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ordu · 2023-04 · Recommendation
There is a video depicting the story of a search for a cubic equation solution and invention of complex numbers. Here it is described in a few sentences but really it was a novel, with secrets passed from dying masters to apprentices, duels (mathematical), broken oaths and suchlike. [VIDEO]
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Sources

Video by Veritasium, played through YouTube.

HN Library · Source license

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