ScienceAlert: A Huge Step Forward in Quantum Computing Was Just Announced: The First-Ever Quantum Circuit

[Frustration]

Your original statement, which I quoted, is still grossly incorrect.

[TGLS]

The way this works out in practise is, that one qubit can contain the information of 2 bits. With 2 qubits, you can represent the information contained in 4 bits. 3 qubits represent the same as 8 bit.

I don't think I really follow the math here. Let me explain my understanding:

The qubit is capable of taking up the state of either 0 or 1 or 0 and 1.

So 1 qubit can hold the values 0, 0|1, 0&1, and 1. So 1 qubit can hold 4 values, the same as 2 bits. 2 qubits could hold 16 values (all possible pairs), the same as 4 bits. 3 qubits could hold 64 possible values, the same as 6 bits, and so on with the number of possible values being 4^x and the number of equivalent bits being 2x.

I went searching for an explanation, and I found a table that followed the same expression (equivalent bits = 2^x), but still no explanation.

[Madner Kami]

The way this works out in practise is, that one qubit can contain the information of 2 bits. With 2 qubits, you can represent the information contained in 4 bits. 3 qubits represent the same as 8 bit.

I don't think I really follow the math here. Let me explain my understanding:

The qubit is capable of taking up the state of either 0 or 1 or 0 and 1.

So 1 qubit can hold the values 0, 0|1, 0&1, and 1. So 1 qubit can hold 4 values, the same as 2 bits. 2 qubits could hold 16 values (all possible pairs), the same as 4 bits. 3 qubits could hold 64 possible values, the same as 6 bits, and so on with the number of possible values being 4^x and the number of equivalent bits being 2x.

I went searching for an explanation, and I found a table that followed the same expression (equivalent bits = 2^x), but still no explanation.

I'll just quote an article, which I feel nicely explains it:

[...]

How does quantum computing work?

Regular computers are based on “bits” – imagine them as little switches pointing to either a 1 or a 0.

Quantum computing relies on quantum bits, or “qubits”, which can also represent a 0 or a 1. The crazy thing is, qubits can also achieve a mixed state, called a “superposition” where they are both 1 and 0 at the same time. This ambiguity – the ability to both “be” and “not be” – is key to the power of quantum computing.

How does superposition help?

The difference between regular computers and quantum computers boils down to how they approach a problem.

A regular computer tries to solve a problem the same way you might try to escape a maze – by trying every possible corridor, turning back at dead ends, until you eventually find the way out. But superposition allows the quantum computer to try all the paths at once – in essence, finding the shortcut.

Two bits in your computer can be in four possible states (00, 01, 10, or 11), but only one of them at any time. This limits the computer to processing one input at a time (like trying one corridor in the maze).

In a quantum computer, two qubits can also represent the exact same four states (00, 01, 10, or 11). The difference is, because of superposition, the qubits can represent all four at the same time. That’s a bit like having four regular computers running side-by-side.

If you add more bits to a regular computer, it can still only deal with one state at a time. But as you add qubits, the power of your quantum computer grows exponentially. For the mathematically inclined, we can say that if you have “n” qubits, you can simultaneously represent 2n states.

[...]

Quantum computing for the qubit curious

[hammerofglass]

Too be, and/or not to be. That is the question.

[Madner Kami]

Too be, and/or not to be. That is the question.

And ⊊ Or, but Or ∉ And.

[hammerofglass]

Oh I'm sorry was my silly Hamlet reference not strictly accurate as a Boolean logic gate?

[Madner Kami]

Yes ∧ No. Arguably Yes ⇔ No in this particular case. I suppose it's fitting that a quantum-joke I try to make, is both funny and not.

[McAvoy]

In layman's terms can someone describe this for me.

Or at least, put it simply in math. As in a given amount of space, a 1 GB or Ghz or whatever would take up in comparison to our binary system.

I am a mechanic. That is my trade. I am no computer expert. What I know about computers is from trial and error in how to fix them. And YouTube.