Correct format for Imaginary Numbers a+bi or a+bj

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godfreyjh

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Dear Friends

I am seeking some clarity here, our lecturer is insisting on using the format a+bj we have always been taught to use a+bi and to add to our disquiet insists at a+bj is the correct format and is threatening to mark us down if we do not use a+bj format.

I have always been taught that imaginary numbers should be written as a+bi.

I am not afraid to go head to head with the lecturer if needs be but I need some advice before I make the point.

Your input is much appreciate in this matter.

Regards

Godfrey
 
godfreyjh said:
Dear Friends

I am seeking some clarity here, our lecturer is insisting on using the format a+bj we have always been taught to use a+bi and to add to our disquiet insists at a+bj is the correct format and is threatening to mark us down if we do not use a+bj format.

I have always been taught that imaginary numbers should be written as a+bi.

I am not afraid to go head to head with the lecturer if needs be but I need some advice before I make the point.

Your input is much appreciate in this matter.

Regards

Godfrey
Click to expand...
i or j are both acceptable for equivalence to √(-1), in general.

In electrical (electronics) technology - [FONT=&quot]j [/FONT]is [FONT=&quot][/FONT]used - because there [FONT=&quot]i[/FONT] is frequently used for "current".
 
godfreyjh said:
… our lecturer is insisting on using the format a+bj … and is threatening to mark us down if we do not use a+bj format … I have always been taught that imaginary numbers should be written as a+bi.
Click to expand...
I cannot remember seeing any symbol other than i used to represent the imaginary unit.

It seems like your lecturer has defined:

j = sqrt(-1)

If they insist on this symbol choice, you ought to consider temporarily adapting (that is, "pick your battles", for this course).

Is symbol i being used for something else?
 
Is symbol i being used for something else?

mmm4444bot said:
I cannot remember seeing any symbol other than i used to represent the imaginary unit.

It seems like your lecturer has defined:

j = sqrt(-1)

If they insist on this symbol choice, you ought to consider temporarily adapting (that is, "pick your battles", for this course).

Is symbol i being used for something else?
Click to expand...

No, this is just ordinary engineering math nothing special.

Its just that the lecturer insists on using j instead of i.
 
Thanks Guys for your prompt feed back.

Thanks guys for all your feed back and time spent with your guidance, it is much appreciated.

I have learned yet again from the group and am grateful for all your input.

Regards

Godfrey
 
I'm late to this party, but I can confirm that engineering books tend to use "j" for the imaginary, noting that they're already using "i" to stand for "current".

Also, this is good training for "the real world", where you'll quickly learn that sometimes "the right answer" is "what the boss wants to hear", no matter how "wrong" it may seem to you! ;)
 
stapel said:
I'm late to this party, but I can confirm that engineering books tend to use "j" for the imaginary, noting that they're already using "i" to stand for "current".

Also, this is good training for "the real world", where you'll quickly learn that sometimes "the right answer" is "what the boss wants to hear", no matter how "wrong" it may seem to you! ;)
Click to expand...

Greetings

Thank you for taking the trouble to write back. I think your advice is very wise. "what the boss wants to hear", no matter how "wrong" it may seem to you! Settles the issue for us.

Regards

Godfrey
 
godfreyjh said:
Greetings

Thank you for taking the trouble to write back. I think your advice is very wise. "what the boss wants to hear", no matter how "wrong" it may seem to you! Settles the issue for us.

Regards

Godfrey
Click to expand...
If you are an engineering student, your instructor is CORRECT in insisting use of j for imaginary number.
 
godfreyjh said:
Dear Friends

I am seeking some clarity here, our lecturer is insisting on using the format a+bj we have always been taught to use a+bi and to add to our disquiet insists at a+bj is the correct format and is threatening to mark us down if we do not use a+bj format.

I have always been taught that imaginary numbers should be written as a+bi.

I am not afraid to go head to head with the lecturer if needs be but I need some advice before I make the point.

Your input is much appreciate in this matter.

Regards

Godfrey
Click to expand...
If your instructor defined j= sqrt(-1) then yes, a+bj is fine. Never ever argue with how a variable is defined (unless the definition is unclear)
 
Jomo said:
Never ever argue with how a variable is defined (unless the definition is unclear)
Click to expand...
Minor quibble: The imaginary (being the square root of minus one) is a fixed number (like the natural exponential, e), so the letter standing for it is not a variable. ;)
 
stapel said:
Minor quibble: The imaginary (being the square root of minus one) is a fixed number (like the natural exponential, e), so the letter standing for it is not a variable. ;)
Click to expand...
Fine, but j IS a variable and the instructor defined that to sqrt(-1)
 
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