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From: bobw@col.hp.com (Bob Witte)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Why sqrt(-1)=j and not sqrt(-1)=i
Message-ID: <38610010@col.hp.com>
Date: 30 Apr 91 14:47:35 GMT
References: <1139@helps.cactus.org>
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division
Lines: 25

>/ col:sci.electronics / jhoward@helps.cactus.org (James Howard) /  4:12 am  Apr 30, 1991 /
>
>In math the sqrt(-1) is representated by the letter i.  In electronics
>why is the letter j used to represent the square root of -1?
>
>Thanks for any replies, posted or Emailed.
>
>---
>
>James Howard          Howard Electronic Laboratories Products & Services
>AA5R           cs.utexas.edu!helps!jhoward  or  jhoward@helps.cactus.org
>----------
    Possible answers:
     1) To confuse math majors and keep them out of EE.

     2) sqrt (-1) had to be j because i is used for current
        Why isn't c used for current? Because c is used for capacitance.

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Bob Witte              HP Colorado Springs Division
bobw@col.hp.com        P.O. Box 2197
Phone:(719) 590-3230   Colorado Springs, CO  80901
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"Of course, then again, I've been wrong before."
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