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How Imaginary Numbers Were Invented

Veritasium · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Pure mathematicsRecreational & visual math

What it is

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.

Why Hacker News recommends it

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.

  • 7 people recommended it
  • 4 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2021, last 2023

What HN commenters said

  1. “I also highly recommend Veritasium's video[1] as an excellent explainer as well, especially regarding the roots of imaginary/complex numbers in geometry.”

    Excellent explainer on geometric roots of complex numbers

    Psyladine, 2022-02 · Strong recommendation · in “How the modern world arose from imaginary numbers”

  2. “it explains why they were needed, as well as interesting historical background”

    Historical motivation for imaginary numbers

    Jap2-0, 2021-11 · Recommendation · in “Will it rot my students' brains if they use Mathematica? (2002)”

  3. “The history is actually fairly interesting”

    History of how complex numbers arose

    Retric, 2022-01 · Recommendation · in “Euler’s 243-Year-Old ‘Impossible’ Puzzle Gets a Quantum Solution”

  4. “a very well explained with the afore mentioned visualizations”

    Well-visualized explanation of algebra and imaginary numbers for beginners

    phatfish, 2022-01 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?”

  5. “This is one video which shows history of imaginary numbers and their usefulness in current times.”

    History of imaginary numbers and modern usefulness

    adityapatadia, 2022-02 · Recommendation · in “How the modern world arose from imaginary numbers”

  6. “There's a good YouTube video on it that includes an epic math battle.”

    Good video including an epic math battle over the cubic

    shagie, 2023-04 · Recommendation · in “Why don't we define “imaginary” numbers for every “impossibility”? (2012)”

  7. “There is a video depicting the story of a search for a cubic equation solution and invention of complex numbers.”

    Story of the cubic solution with duels and secrets

    ordu, 2023-04 · Recommendation · in “Quantum Physics Falls Apart Without Imaginary Numbers”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: complex numbers, cubic equation, math history, algebra, veritasium

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