What are imaginary numbers? An introductory video provides an explanation as to why we need imaginary numbers to solve equations, and makes the connection between the need for zero, negative numbers, and rational numbers throughout history.

Concepts

imaginary numbers, rational numbers, negative numbers, graphing functions

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Use a Venn diagram to show how the subsets of the complex number system are related 
• Have the class research the history of the number system and create a timeline for when different types of numbers started to be used
• Pair the lesson with social studies to work on the history of the number system
• Assign the video for homework before class for a flipped classroom activity

Classroom Considerations

• Opens with a short advertisement
• Animation might be a little fast and distracting for some learners
• Contains some spelling errors, but they don't detract from the information
• First part of a nine-part series

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Provides an explanation of why there is a need for imaginary numbers
• Good visual representation of complex roots

Cons

• None

Common Core

HSN-CN.A.1