We identify the real number 2 with the rational number 2 with the integer 2 with the natural number 2. It does not seem so strange to also identify the complex number 2 with those.
replyIf you say "this function f operates on the integers", you can't turn around and then go "ooh but it has solutions in the rationals!" No it doesn't, it doesn't exist in that space.
replyI hate when people casually move "between" Q and Z as if a rational number with unit denominator suddenly becomes an integer, and it's all because of this terrible "a/b" notation. It's more like (a, b). You can't ever discard that second component, it's always there. ;)
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