Elements of the Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable: With Especial Reference to the Methods of Riemann (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Elements of the Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable: With Especial Reference to the Methods of Riemann

To follow the gradual development of the theory of imagi nary quantities is especially interesting, for the reason that we can clearly perceive with what difficulties is attended the introduction of ideas, either not at all known before, or at least not sufficiently current. The times at which negative, fractional and irrational quantities were introduced into mathematics are so far removed from us, that we can form no adequate conception of the difficulties which the intro duction of those quantities may have encountered. Moreover, the knowledge of the nature of imaginary quantities has helped us to a better understanding of negative, fractional and irrational quantities, a common bond closely uniting them all.

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