Crossword Genius

Imaginary number probed by new technology (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fictive

'imaginary' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'number probed by new technology' is the wordplay.
'number' becomes 'five' (five is a kind of whole number).
'probed by' indicates putting letters inside (I've seen this in other clues).
'new technology' becomes 'ICT' (information and communications technology).
'five' going around 'ict' is 'FICTIVE'.

(Another definition for fictive that I've seen is " with novel effect".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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