Book Image

Dancing with Qubits

By : Robert S. Sutor
5 (1)
Book Image

Dancing with Qubits

5 (1)
By: Robert S. Sutor

Overview of this book

Quantum computing is making us change the way we think about computers. Quantum bits, a.k.a. qubits, can make it possible to solve problems that would otherwise be intractable with current computing technology. Dancing with Qubits is a quantum computing textbook that starts with an overview of why quantum computing is so different from classical computing and describes several industry use cases where it can have a major impact. From there it moves on to a fuller description of classical computing and the mathematical underpinnings necessary to understand such concepts as superposition, entanglement, and interference. Next up is circuits and algorithms, both basic and more sophisticated. It then nicely moves on to provide a survey of the physics and engineering ideas behind how quantum computing hardware is built. Finally, the book looks to the future and gives you guidance on understanding how further developments will affect you. Really understanding quantum computing requires a lot of math, and this book doesn't shy away from the necessary math concepts you'll need. Each topic is introduced and explained thoroughly, in clear English with helpful examples.
Table of Contents (16 chapters)
Preface
13
Afterword

2.3 True or false?

From arithmetic let’s turn to basic logic. Here there are only two values: true and false. We want to know what kinds of things we can do with one or two of these values.

The most interesting thing you can do to a single logical value is to replace it with the other. Thus, the not operation turns true into false, and false into true:

not true = false

not false = true

For two inputs, which I call p and q, there are three primary operations and, or, and xor. Consider the statement ‘‘We will get ice cream only if you and your sister clean your rooms.’’ The result is the truth or falsity of the statement ‘‘we will get ice cream.’’

If neither you nor your sister clean your rooms, or if only one of you clean your room, then the result is false. If both of you are tidy, the result is true, and you can start thinking about ice cream flavors and whether you want a cup...