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reinstate with clarification. imaginary numbers do not exist in the real world--they're purely abstract
'''Real numbers''' are numbers that can be represented by some infinite or finite decimal representation, such as 0.707106781187...
'''Real numbers''' are numbers that can be represented by some infinite or finite [[decimal]] representation, such as 0.707106781187...
They are called "real" because they actually exist as quantities in the real world, i.e. as measures, weights, temperatures. In contrast, the [[imaginary number]]s are just an abstract concept, but do not exist concretely in the real world.
In classical physics, measurements of things that can vary smoothly and continuously, like [[speed]] or [[temperature]], are treated as real numbers.
In classical physics, measurements of things that can vary smoothly and continuously, like [[speed]] or [[temperature]], are treated as real numbers.