Do complex roots have a physical representation on a curve?

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    Complex Quadratic Roots
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the representation of complex roots in relation to the curves defined by polynomial functions, specifically examining the functions y=x^2+4 and y=x^2-4. Participants explore the implications of complex roots on the graphical representation of these functions and the dimensionality of the curves involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the roots of y=x^2-4 are real and correspond to intersections with the x-axis, while the roots of y=x^2+4 are complex (2i and -2i) and do not intersect the x-axis.
  • One participant argues that complex numbers introduce a different problem regarding the correspondence of real polynomials over the complex numbers, suggesting that there is no real correspondence for complex roots.
  • Another participant states that imaginary roots exist in a complex hyperplane and not on the real curve, indicating that the "curve" in this context is a three-dimensional hyperspace within a four-dimensional space.
  • Some participants mention that plotting |x^4+4| in the complex plane shows that it is zero at the complex roots, emphasizing that these roots are not located on the real line.
  • One participant highlights that the roots exist within the context of the function f(z)=z^4+4, suggesting a relationship between this function and the earlier polynomials discussed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence and representation of complex roots, with no consensus reached on how these roots relate to the curves defined by the polynomial functions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the dimensional implications and graphical representations of these complex roots.

Contextual Notes

The discussion involves complex analysis and algebraic concepts, with participants referencing the dimensionality of complex functions and the nature of polynomial roots. Limitations include the lack of clarity on how to visualize or interpret complex roots in relation to real curves.

mohammed El-Kady
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If we have y=x^2 -4. This is represented by curve intersect x-axis at (-2, 0) and (2, 0) or if we wish to find it algebraically we set y =0 then we solve it. The roots must lie on the curve.
when y=x^2+4 the roots are 2i and -2i "complex" consequently there is no intersection with x-axis, so where the points (2i, 0) and (-2i, 0) on the curve?
Does it have another dimension or imagine dim.? if yes, is that mean the curve is solid?
 
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mohammed El-Kady said:
If we have y=x^2 -4. This is represented by curve intersect x-axis at (-2, 0) and (2, 0) or if we wish to find it algebraically we set y =0 then we solve it. The roots must lie on the curve.
when y=x^2+4 the roots are 2i and -2i "complex" consequently there is no intersection with x-axis, so where the points (2i, 0) and (-2i, 0) on the curve?
Does it have another dimension or imagine dim.? if yes, is that mean the curve is solid?
You'll have to say what you are talking about. On the one hand you talked about the graphs ##\{\,(x,y)\in \mathbb{R}^2\,|\,y=x^2\pm 4\,\}##, which are parabolas in the Euclidean plane, one which crosses the ##x-##axis twice, and one which does not.

Now you brought in complex numbers. That is another problem, namely how real polynomials in one indeterminate split over the complex numbers. This is an algebraic theorem and pure abstract algebra. However, you took this now complex situation and asked about its real correspondence? There is none. The inclusion ##\mathbb{R} \subsetneq \mathbb{C} ## is a strict one. If you consider the complex numbers as a two dimensional real vector space, then the new function ##f\, : \, \mathbb{C} \longrightarrow \mathbb{C}## with ##f(z)=z^2+4## is a different one, and its graph has four real dimensions, making it difficult to draw.
 
fresh_42 said:
You'll have to say what you are talking about. On the one hand you talked about the graphs ##\{\,(x,y)\in \mathbb{R}^2\,|\,y=x^2\pm 4\,\}##, which are parabolas in the Euclidean plane, one which crosses the ##x-##axis twice, and one which does not.

Now you brought in complex numbers. That is another problem, namely how real polynomials in one indeterminate split over the complex numbers. This is an algebraic theorem and pure abstract algebra. However, you took this now complex situation and asked about its real correspondence? There is none. The inclusion ##\mathbb{R} \subsetneq \mathbb{C} ## is a strict one. If you consider the complex numbers as a two dimensional real vector space, then the new function ##f\, : \, \mathbb{C} \longrightarrow \mathbb{C}## with ##f(z)=z^2+4## is a different one, and its graph has four real dimensions, making it difficult to draw.
thanks for your explanation i just need to know where the roots exists on the curve
 
The imaginary roots do not exist on the real curve. They exist in the complex hyperplane, if the function is considered to be complex, in which case the "curve" is a there dimensional hyperspace of a four dimensional space.

The roots "exist" only in the complex extension of the real numbers, as algebraic entities in ##\mathbb{R}[x]/\langle x^2+1 \rangle##
 
mfb said:
If you plot ##|x^4+4|## for x in the complex plane then you'll see it is 0 at +2i and -2i. This is not in the real line as the roots are not real. They are complex.
WolframAlpha can plot the real and imaginary part
Thank you for the valuable graphs, its explains too much information for me
 
The roots exist in the curve ##f(z)=z^4+4 ## . Note, as someone said, ##x^4 \pm 4 ## is a subspace of ##z^4+4 ##. The map ##f(z)## goes from ##\mathbb R^2 \rightarrow \mathbb R^2 ##.
 

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