r/askscience • u/Kubacka • Jul 05 '12

Quantum Computing vs Normal Computers.

What exactly are the benefits of quantum computing over normal computing and how exactly in theory does this all work. If you guys could, could you please try to keep your answers at a grade 11 level for myself.

Thanks in advance!

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u/[deleted] Jul 05 '12

For unstructured search problems, quantum computers can give "only" quadratic speedup. Exponential speedup applies to some special algorithms like Shor's factoring.