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The classics of mathematical humor often borrow some of their gems from the vocabulary of complex numbers…


The classics of mathematical humor often borrow some of their gems from the vocabulary of complex numbers…


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Complex numbers, initially termed "imaginary," were not conceived as we study them today. Above all, they were introduced as tools for solving polynomial equations—and tackling the mathematical challenges that raged across Renaissance Europe.

How can the classical exponential function be extended to complex numbers? Will its usual properties be preserved? Although the resulting extension is easy to study, the associated notion of a complex logarithm is more elusive. It was the subject of controversy in the 18th century.

A free thinker, Bertrand Russell made no secret of his agnosticism and did not hesitate to criticize religion. He deplored the fact that people's reasons for embracing faith had little to do with rational argument. In his view, hatred of reason seems to be a constant throughout human history.

An exceptional scientist, Laplace was also a driving force behind the development of education at the highest level, helping to devise curricula and concerned that mathematics teaching should not be detached from philosophical reflection.
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