Question

what is an imaginary number

Answer 1

The numbers that can't be expressed in numerals are imaginary.

Answer 2

^
\[\sqrt{-1} = i\]

Answer 3

The complex number \(i\) is an example.

Answer 4

an imaginary number is a number that does not exist..thus the name imaginary

Answer 5

An imaginary number does exist, but cannot be expressed in a rational way, or even irrational.

Answer 6

imaginary numbers happen when a number/expression *inside* a radical (with an even index) is negative

example
\(\sqrt{-1}\) -> imaginary
\(\sqrt{-2}\) -> imaginary
\(\sqrt{-3}\) -> imaginary
etc.

Answer 7

got it @mathjad ?

Answer 8

Why even index? Because a cube of a negative number is negative.