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

4.2 The real plane

When we were building up the structure of the integers, we showed the traditional number line

tikz JPG figure

with the negative integers to the left of 0 and the positive ones to the right. Really, though, this was just part of the real number line

tikz JPG figure

This is one-dimensional in that we need only one value, or coordinate, to locate a point uniquely on the line. For a real number x, we represent the point on the line by (x). For example, the point (−2.6) is between the markings −3 and −2. We use or omit the parentheses when it is clear from context whether we are referring to the point or the real number that gives its relative position from 0.

tikz JPG figure

I drop the decimal points on the labels now that it is clear we have real numbers.

4.2.1 Moving to two dimensions

Now suppose the number line sits in two dimensions so that we extend upwards and downwards.

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