Can the probabilities of state vectors |r⟩ and |i⟩ be determined from |ψ⟩?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the determination of probabilities for state vectors |r⟩ and |i⟩ from a given state vector |ψ⟩ = α|u⟩ + β|d⟩. It is established that |r⟩, |l⟩, |i⟩, and |o⟩ can be expressed in terms of |u⟩ and |d⟩. The probabilities can be calculated using the formula ||^2 = |α + β|^2, provided all vectors are normalized. However, if the observables corresponding to these states do not commute, only one can be measured at a time.

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TL;DR
∣r⟩,∣l⟩,∣i⟩, and ∣o⟩ can all be expressed as expressions for ∣u⟩ and ∣d⟩. So, given the state vector ∣ψ⟩ = α∣u⟩ + β∣d⟩, is it possible to know not only the probability of ∣u⟩ but also the probability of ∣r⟩ and ∣i⟩? ∣ψ⟩ can be expressed as an expression for ∣r⟩, ∣l⟩ or ∣i⟩, ∣o⟩.
∣r⟩,∣l⟩,∣i⟩, and ∣o⟩ can all be expressed as expressions for ∣u⟩ and ∣d⟩. So, given the state vector ∣ψ⟩ = α∣u⟩ + β∣d⟩, is it possible to know not only the probability of ∣u⟩ but also the probability of ∣r⟩ and ∣i⟩? ∣ψ⟩ can be expressed as an expression for ∣r⟩, ∣l⟩ or ∣i⟩, ∣o⟩.
 
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hongseok said:
So, given the state vector ∣ψ⟩ = α∣u⟩ + β∣d⟩, is it possible to know not only the probability of ∣u⟩ but also the probability of ∣r⟩ and ∣i⟩? ∣ψ⟩ can be expressed as an expression for ∣r⟩, ∣l⟩ or ∣i⟩, ∣o⟩.
You haven't said what any if any observable corresponds to any of these vectors, so all we can give you is the general answer:
If we can write $$|\psi\rangle=\alpha_1|A_1\rangle+\alpha_2|A_2\rangle=\beta_1|B_1\rangle+\beta_2|B_2\rangle$$ where ##|A_1\rangle## and ##|A_2\rangle## are orthogonal eigenvectors of the Hermitian operator ##\hat{A}## and likewise for ##|B_1\rangle## and ##|B_2\rangle## and the observable ##\hat{B}## then ...

Yes, we know the probability of getting any of these four possible results if we were to perform the measurement. The catch is that if ##\hat{A}## and ##\hat{B}## do not commute we only get to measure one of them.
 
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hongseok said:
TL;DR Summary: ∣r⟩,∣l⟩,∣i⟩, and ∣o⟩ can all be expressed as expressions for ∣u⟩ and ∣d⟩. So, given the state vector ∣ψ⟩ = α∣u⟩ + β∣d⟩, is it possible to know not only the probability of ∣u⟩ but also the probability of ∣r⟩ and ∣i⟩? ∣ψ⟩ can be expressed as an expression for ∣r⟩, ∣l⟩ or ∣i⟩, ∣o⟩.

∣r⟩,∣l⟩,∣i⟩, and ∣o⟩ can all be expressed as expressions for ∣u⟩ and ∣d⟩. So, given the state vector ∣ψ⟩ = α∣u⟩ + β∣d⟩, is it possible to know not only the probability of ∣u⟩ but also the probability of ∣r⟩ and ∣i⟩? ∣ψ⟩ can be expressed as an expression for ∣r⟩, ∣l⟩ or ∣i⟩, ∣o⟩.
The probability that the state is |r> in observation is
|<r|\psi>|^2=|\alpha<r|u>+\beta<r|d>|^2
in condition that all these bras and kets are normalized.
 
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