How to convert a scalar data into complex ?

Hi

 I have 3 coloumns of scalar data, each coloumn belongs to the data of a particular parameter. I have to plot the three parameters in a contour figure. Before that I have to convert the scalar data into a complex one. How shall I do this?

Answer 1

[Wayne King]

A scalar can be complex by definition. A scalar is just a number. So I'm assuming you have real-valued data to start with. How are you going to determine the imaginary part?

You can simply make the attribute complex by

   z = randn(100,3);
   z = complex(z);

but to actually give it some meaningful imaginary part, you have to some way to assign it.

z = randn(100,3);
z = z+1j*ones(size(z));

[Raj Shankar]

Hi Wayne Actually I was instructed to use complex numbered data in the plot so that the plot will become more clear and accurate. I couldn't get the logic of how it is so. But that's why I want the complex data from my scalar. So, which of the ways you told should I prefer?

[Wayne King]

You have to have some way of assigning the imaginary part. If you are starting with real valued data, I don't know how you want to assign the imaginary part.