Quantum Algorithms via Linear Algebra: A Primer

by Richard J. Lipton, Kenneth W. Regan

Quantum computing explained in terms of elementary linear algebra, emphasizing computation and algorithms and requiring no background in physics. This introduction to quantum algorithms is concise but comprehensive, covering many key algorithms. It is mathematically rigorous but requires minimal background and assumes no knowledge of quantum theory or quantum mechanics. The book explains quantum computation in terms of elementary linear algebra; it assumes the reader will have some familiarity with vectors, matrices, and their basic properties, but offers a review of all the relevant material from linear algebra. By emphasizing computation and algorithms rather than physics, this primer makes quantum algorithms accessible to students and researchers in computer science without the complications of quantum mechanical notation, physical concepts, and philosophical issues. After explaining the development of quantum operations and computations based on linear algebra, the book presents the major quantum algorithms, from seminal algorithms by Deutsch, Jozsa, and Simon through Shor's and Grover's algorithms to recent quantum walks. It covers quantum gates, computational complexity, and some graph theory. Mathematical proofs are generally short and straightforward; quantum circuits and gates are used to illuminate linear algebra; and the discussion of complexity is anchored in computational problems rather than machine models. Quantum Algorithms via Linear Algebra is suitable for classroom use or as a reference for computer scientists and mathematicians.

Genres: Computer Science, Mathematics, Academic, Physics

206 pages, Hardcover

First published December 5, 2014

Reviews

[Anthony O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed

There is no doubting the author’s expertise. But in a self proclaimed primer you are supposed to write in a way others can understand. Most of this after a leisurely start quickly becomes unreadable unless you already know it well. A common fault of so called primers and intros written poorly. A lot of this is research level material. Too hard for me and I don’t mind admitting it. Not without some value. Some good surveys of current ongoing work ... in a primer!!!

[Jessica Shing]

I think it is a good book to be put in Foyles but not in Blackwell. Obviously the target audience is more to general public and the book tries to bridge the underlying mathematics/science with layman word context. I would think the author needs to work more on linear algebra contexts more commonly entertaining and digest as to its target. I personally would feel the mathematical notation typesetting is a bit awkward to read as a halfway through scientist.

[Ehsan · Rating 4 out of 5]

gooood