Historically Speaking, - - Complex numbers: an example of recurring themes in the development of mathematics—I

Abstract

The story of the development of the concept and uses of complex numbers provides a fine example of how the history of mathematics may shed light on the meaning of terminology, the relative roles of “practical” needs and intellectual curiosity in the motivation of mathematicians, the utility of pure mathematics, and the development not only of mathematics itself but also of the concepts of rigor and proof. The story also involves intrigue and illustrates the international nature of mathematical scholarship.