Morehead State University
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Sophomore
Major
Computer Science
2nd Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Sophomore
2nd Student Major
Computer Science
KY House District #
KY-103515000
KY Senate District #
14
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Dr. Qualls
Department
Education & Research
Abstract
Games are often used in the classroom to teach mathematical and physical concepts. Yet the available activities used to introduce quantum mechanics are often overwhelming even to upper-level students. Further, the "games" in question range in focus and complexity from superficial introductions to games where quantum strategies result in decidedly nonclassical advantages, making it nearly impossible for people interested in quantum mechanics to have a simple introduction to the topic. In this talk, we introduce a straightforward and newly developed "Semiclassical Mastermind" based on the original version of mastermind but replace the colored pegs with 6 possible qubits (x+, x-, y+, y-, z+, z-). We allow the user to make 9 guesses with 1 final answer, forcing the user to make strategies to have the best chance of getting a correct answer. We report on the mathematical analysis of three strategies for play and conclude by previewing how a "quantum" player could potentially outperform even optimal "classical" players.
Included in
"Semiclassical Mastermind"
Games are often used in the classroom to teach mathematical and physical concepts. Yet the available activities used to introduce quantum mechanics are often overwhelming even to upper-level students. Further, the "games" in question range in focus and complexity from superficial introductions to games where quantum strategies result in decidedly nonclassical advantages, making it nearly impossible for people interested in quantum mechanics to have a simple introduction to the topic. In this talk, we introduce a straightforward and newly developed "Semiclassical Mastermind" based on the original version of mastermind but replace the colored pegs with 6 possible qubits (x+, x-, y+, y-, z+, z-). We allow the user to make 9 guesses with 1 final answer, forcing the user to make strategies to have the best chance of getting a correct answer. We report on the mathematical analysis of three strategies for play and conclude by previewing how a "quantum" player could potentially outperform even optimal "classical" players.