Definition:Complex Number/Complex Plane

Definition
Because a complex number can be expressed as an ordered pair, we can plot the number $x + i y$ on the real number plane $\R^2$:


 * ComplexPlane.png

This representation is known as the complex plane.

Also known as
Some sources refer to the complex plane as an Argand plane.

It is also sometimes known as a Gauss Plane, or Gaussian Plane.

As it is now recognised that neither nor  had precedence over the concept of plotting complex numbers on the cartesian plane, the more neutral term complex plane is often used nowadays.

Also see

 * Definition:Argand Diagram


 * Definition:Complex Number as Vector