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--- qubit [February 15, 2026 at 13:04] – yanevskiv
+++ qubit [May 25, 2026 at 13:16] (current) – Ivan Janevski
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+# Qubit
+**Qubit** is the quantum computing equivalent of a bit.
+A classical bit can be `0` or `1`. There are no probabilities involved at all, but we can assign them anyway. If a bit is `1`, then it's `1` with 100% probability and `0` with 0% probability. Conversely, if a bit is `0`, then it's `1` with 0% probability and `0` with 100% probability.
+A qubit works in a similar way. It also has two states: $\lvert 0\rangle$ and $\lvert 1\rangle$, except the total probability is distributed between those two. A qubit is often in both states at the same time: a small amount in state $\lvert 0\rangle$ and a small amount in state $\lvert 1\rangle$. A qubit  $\lvert\psi\rangle$ is written in the following form, using what is known as [[dirac-notation|Dirac notation]]:
+$$\lvert\psi\rangle = a\lvert 0\rangle + b\lvert 1\rangle$$
+These probabilities $a$ and $b$ are not percentages. Rather, they are complex numbers called "probability amplitudes". For example, a qubit might be in a state $\lvert 0\rangle$ with probability amplitude $a = \frac{\sqrt 2}{2} + i\frac{\sqrt 2}{2}$, and in state $\lvert 1\rangle$ with probability amplitude $b = \frac{\sqrt 2}{2} - i\frac{\sqrt 2}{2}$, all at the same time. The probability amplitudes evolve over time according to the Schrodinger equation. For eample, $a$ and $b$ can rotate or exchange magnitudes over time.
+A qubit state continues to evolve as this weird object of two complex probabilities amplitudes -- until it is measured. When a qubit is measured, it collapses to either $\lvert 0\rangle$ or $\lvert 1\rangle$ with 100% probability. At that point, there are no longer any probabilities or complex numbers inolved. The qubit behaves exactly like a classical bit and we might as well refer to $\lvert 0\rangle$ as `0`, and $\lvert 1\rangle$ as `1`.
+But how do we know whether a qubit is going to collapse to `0` or `1` if $a$ and $b$ are complex numbers rather than percentages? The answer is given by the [Born rule](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_rule). The Born rule states that the real probability of measurement yielding a certain result is proportional to the square of the probability amplitude associated with that result.
+$$P_0 = |a|^2 \qquad P_1 = |b|^2$$
+We do, however, require the qubit always exists as *at least something* with 100% probability when we measure it i.e. a qubit can't half exist or exist with 150% probability. Therefore the square magnitudes must add up to 100% which in probability theory is written as $1$. This is also called the second axiom of probability:
+$$|a|^2 + |b|^2 = 1$$