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Epsilon Pi
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It is known that it was Descartes the one that gave the symbol i the connotation of imaginary; in electrical engineering there is the concept of apparent power(MVA)
S = P + i Q
where
P(MW)=generation or consumed power
and
Q(MVAR) = reactive power
and they both can be measured, so they exist, they are not "imaginary".
In fact the symbol i, can be taken as a symbol to differentiate two different realities that in general cannot be reduced the one to the other, as P is quite different from Q, even in its physical behavior, and a reason of those rules explained in this thread too for its mathematical operations, as we must not confuse pearls and apples, when working with it.
Regards
EP
S = P + i Q
where
P(MW)=generation or consumed power
and
Q(MVAR) = reactive power
and they both can be measured, so they exist, they are not "imaginary".
In fact the symbol i, can be taken as a symbol to differentiate two different realities that in general cannot be reduced the one to the other, as P is quite different from Q, even in its physical behavior, and a reason of those rules explained in this thread too for its mathematical operations, as we must not confuse pearls and apples, when working with it.
Regards
EP
NanakiXIII said:Sorry if this isn't the right forum, I didn't know so I just went to general.
Could someone explain how this i (imaginary numbers) thing works? I know i is supposed to be a number which is the sqrt of a negative number, which isn't supposed to exist, but what's its use? And yeah...really any information would be appreciated.