Why is Complex number notation the way it is?

[Fernando Pérez]

Delaney, Timothy wrote:


> Because there are two representations for complex numbers, depending on
> whether you're a mathematician or a physicist. Mathematicians use 'i',
> physicists (and engineers I think) use 'j'.

just being nitpicky here. I think the 'j' convention is more one coming from 
the electrical engineers, who use what they call 'phasors' (if my memory 
doesn't fail me) to quickly analyze phase relations in signals  using basic 
complex algebra. In every physics book I've been through in my life, 'i' is 
the imaginary unit.

 
> 'j' is more easily distinguished from the surrounding characters (such a
> '1') because it dips below the baseline.
> 

I do think that for computing purposes, 'j' is probably a better choice, less 
likely to be confused on screen with a 1 (especially in certain fonts).

cheers,

f