Why is My Calculation of Φ Incorrect?

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The calculation of the state Φ was initially incorrect due to a normalization issue, making it impossible to compute the probability accurately. A suggested correction involved changing a term from 2√i to i√2, which would normalize the state. The user clarified that they were not adding the complex numbers before squaring them, which led to the initial error. After correcting their approach and adding the complex numbers, they arrived at the correct answer of (5-2√2)/16. This highlights the importance of normalization and proper calculation methods in quantum mechanics.
gremio594
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Homework Statement
The state

|ϕ⟩=(1−2√i)/4|0⟩−(3−2i)/4|1⟩
is measured in the Hadamard basis |+⟩, |−⟩. What is the probability to obtain |+⟩ as measurement result?
Relevant Equations
Pψ(v) = |<v|ψ>|^2
I calculated <+|Φ> to be (1-√2i)/4√2 + (3-2i)/4√2. When I squared this I for 16/32 but this is no the right answer.
 
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First of all, this state is not normalized, so you cannot compute the probability as ##\left|\left<+\right|\left.\phi\right>\right|^2##.
I think probably you have a typo and the term ##2\sqrt{i}## should be ##i\sqrt{2}##, then the state is normalized. But two questions:
1. How did you compute ##\left<+\right|\left.\phi\right>##?
2. How did you square this complex number?
 
Last edited:
Gaussian97 said:
First of all, this state is not normalized, so you cannot compute the probability as ##\left|\left<+\right|\left.\phi\right>\right|^2##.
I think probably you have a typo and the term ##2\sqrt{i}## should be ##i\sqrt{2}##, then the state is normalized. But two questions:
1. How did you compute ##\left<+\right|\left.\phi\right>##?
2. How did you square this complex number?
 
I was not adding the complex numbers together before trying to square them. After doing that I was able to get the right answer
 
What answer did you get finally?
 
Gaussian97 said:
What answer did you get finally?
I think it was (5-2√2)/16
 
Ok, perfect
 

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