Quantum Computing Fundamentals

Chapter 2

Complex Numbers

Chapter Objectives

After reading this chapter and completing the quiz, you will be able to do the following:

• Understand complex numbers

• Calculate complex conjugates

• Represent complex numbers graphically

• Work with vector representations of complex numbers

• Understand Pauli matrices

Just as linear algebra is central to understanding quantum physics and quantum computing, so are complex numbers. There are some sources that attempt to explain quantum physics and quantum computing without complex numbers. To some extent they succeed, at least in conveying a generalized understanding of quantum phenomena; however, quantum physicists and those working with quantum computing use complex numbers. If you are to proceed past ...