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$\newcommand\ket[1]{\left\vert #1\right\rangle}$ Let $\ket\phi = 12 \ket{0} + 1 + 2\sqrt{i2}\ket{1}$. Write $\ket\phi$ in the form $\alpha_0\ket{+} + \alpha_1\ket{-}$. What is $\alpha_0$?

I came across this problem in a course i am doing, i have been struggling writing things in sign basis, much appreciated.

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    I've converted the math display to MathJax (to see whether it helps with http://meta.math.stackexchange.com/q/4727/1543 . I tried to transcribe the mathematics faithfully as written, that is preserving the slightly odd expressions (adding a scalar to a state and taking the square root of $i$). It'd be great if the OP can clarify.2012-07-24

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you can write this in general $A\lvert0\rangle+B\lvert1\rangle=\frac{(A+B)}{2}\lvert+\rangle + \frac{(A-B)}{2}\lvert-\rangle$ where A and B are complex numbers.

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Hint: All you need to know is that $|0>=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(|+> +|->)$ and $|1>=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(|+>-|->).$

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The "sign basis" is defined as $\begin{aligned} \lvert+\rangle &= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left(\lvert0\rangle+\lvert1\rangle\right)\\ \lvert-\rangle &= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left(\lvert0\rangle-\lvert1\rangle\right) \end{aligned}$ Those equations can be solved for $\lvert0\rangle$ and $\lvert1\rangle$. Then it's just a matter of inserting in the given state and comparing the coefficients.

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    @Daniel: Well, that one is simple: After solving the linear equation system you've got equations $\lvert0\rangle=a\lvert+\rangle+b\lvert-\rangle$ and $\lvert1\rangle=c\lvert+\rangle+d\lvert-\rangle$. Your state has the form $e\lvert0\rangle+f\lvert1\rangle$. So you just replace the $\lvert0\rangle$ with $(a\lvert+\rangle+b\lvert-\rangle)$ and $\lvert1\rangle$ with $(c\lvert+\rangle+d\lvert-\rangle)$. Then you just have to use standard arithmetic to get it in simple form, and can read off the coefficients. Basically, forget that $\lvert*\rangle$ are quantum states and use standard arithmetics.2012-07-23