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A Quantum Linear Equation Solver

Posted by kdawson on from the traveling-salesman-gets-a-break dept.

joe writes "Aram Harrow and colleagues have just published on the arXiv a quantum algorithm for solving systems of linear equations (paper, PDF). Until now, the only quantum algorithms of practical consequence have been Shor's algorithm for prime factoring, and Feynman-inspired quantum simulation algorithms. All other algorithms either solve problems with no known practical applications, or produce only a polynomial speedup versus classical algorithms. Harrow et. al.'s algorithm provides an exponential speedup over the best-known classical algorithms. Since solving linear equations is such a common task in computational science and engineering, this algorithm makes many more important problems that currently use thousands of hours of CPU time on supercomputers amenable to significant quantum speedup. Now we just need a large-scale quantum computer. Hurry up, guys!"

11 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. Hm by Andr+T. · · Score: 2, Funny
    Is this algorithm in Haskell or somethin'?

    I'll wait until I can program in VB. Will it take long?

    --

    Any life is made up of a single moment, the moment in which a man finds out, once and for all, who he is.

    1. Re:Hm by FrozenFOXX · · Score: 5, Funny

      Is this algorithm in Haskell or somethin'?

      I'll wait until I can program in VB. Will it take long?

      It may or may not.

      --
      "Just a fox, a whisper."
    2. Re:Hm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Following the protocol of quantum physicists to be un-understandable by anyone but the top people in their field and 13-year-olds with too much time who watch NOVA and read Popular Science, they wrote it in Perl

    3. Re:Hm by AdmiralXyz · · Score: 5, Funny

      Quantum computing is nondeterministic and probability-based: when you put in a certain input, you have a finite probability of getting the right answer out, it could just as easily be anything else. So in other words, coming from VB, you'll be at a major advantage.

      --
      Dislike the Electoral College? Lobby your state to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
    4. Re:Hm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Also, it may AND may not.

  2. Re:Implications by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does this mean they can solve P=NP?

    Yes: N=1.

  3. Re:arXiv articles - question by fph+il+quozientatore · · Score: 4, Funny

    Are arXiv articles peer-reviewed?

    No, they aren't.

    --
    My first program:

    Hell Segmentation fault

  4. Re:Seems bogus by Bitch-Face+Jones · · Score: 4, Funny

    In O(log n) time he can't read the entire article.

  5. Re:not able to be used == not useful by Steneub · · Score: 2, Funny

    That depends. What is its tensile strength?

  6. Re:Implications by lenester · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh come on, this deserves +P Funny.

  7. Re:Thoughts? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Is it white? No. Is it black? No.

    Actually, it's the next president.