Finance 1380 E-Portfolio Assignment

Barrett Johnson

Imagine a world void of any numbers. How would everything work? Would we be able to
build bridges, prepare meals, manage our money correctly? Life as we know it would be
completely different. Numbers have taken us to places we would have never been able to see;
from the depths of the oceans to the outer reaching galaxies in space. The have allowed us to find
remedies breakthroughs in world of medicine. Numbers have allowed us to communicate to with
one another thousands of miles away. Everything that we enjoy today is all thanks to numbers.
Numbers define us. In our modern world, we can be identified by numbers. When we are
born, or when one immigrates to the United States, they are given a social security number. A 9
digit set of numbers identifying your gender, name, birth date, and your credit score. Other
events or facts are defined by numbers as well, which include but are not limited to: our height,
our weight, our age. It is safe to say that we are defined by numbers.
Often times, students, from elementary schools all the way until their college years, will
say, when will I ever use this? whilst sitting bored in their math class. I prefer the answer to
that question to be everyday. Though we might not be crunching the numbers everyday, we
utilize the benefits of those who do crunch the numbers all day, everyday. Computers are a great
example of numbers in action that we use daily. Simply speaking, computers use a binary code, a
code made up of 1 and 0, to perform all of its functions. This technology has grown from 1939 to
the little computers we carry in our pockets or purses to make calls, check our Facebook, and
take selfies.
As we investigate numbers more deeply, we will find that there are more than the
counting numbers we are familiar with. These are known as the counting numbers. Whole
numbers are numbers that do not have any fractions. Most of us are familiar with positive and
negative numbers. When we include negative numbers to our pool of numbers, they are then
referred to as integers. Beyond integers, we have rational numbers. Rational numbers is another
way of calling a fraction, or decimal. They may also be noted by a square root sign. These
number are the ones with which we encounter regularly. All gas stations will have their prices set
as decimals. When we spend more money than we have in our bank account, we find that we
have a negative balance in our account. Integers, decimals, fractions, and counting numbers have
been woven into the fabric of our society.
There are number systems that we dont necessarily come in contact with daily. These
systems include real numbers, imaginary numbers and complex numbers. Real numbers could be
considered the measurement numbers. The real numbers include both rational and irrational
numbers. Two good examples of real numbers would be Pi (3.1415) and the square root of 2
(1.4142). Complex numbers allow us to look at numbers for a two-dimensional view. The
numbers systems stated above could be considered one-dimensional because they exist on a
horizontal number line. Complex numbers, however, expand the number line to a twodimensional plane of numbers. The horizontal plane represent the real numbers, and the vertical
line represents the imaginary number system. This raises the question, what is an imaginary
number?. An imaginary number is a real number multiplied by i. I is the square root of
negative 1. It was created by mathematicians to be able to take the square root of a negative
number. These numbers are used for higher math applications relating to physics, engineering,
and more math centered fields of study.
Though we may not use all of the types of numbers all of the time, we can appreciate
how far numbers have taken us. If we appreciate how much number effect us and what role they

play in our lives, we might not be the kid in the class asking the timeless question, when will I
ever use this?.
Reflection:
I think numbers affect us more than we think. I think we take numbers for granted. Math is an
underappreciated subject and why is that? Because it requires a lot of time, energy and patience
to understand it. Numbers created the world we live in now. We just see numbers that matter to
us. How much we weigh, how much money we have, or dont have, and how much time have
become the only numbers we really take notice of. Understanding numbers and what they mean
can help us in our daily life. Quantitative literacy can help us understand graphs, possibly
helping us read the Stocks section of the newspaper. Understanding the costs of inventory,
building expenses and staffing can help make or break a business. Understanding how money
works and goes can help us budget our time and resources more effectively. It is imperative for
us to understand and appreciate the most basic applications of numbers.