Quantum computing does not use a trinary (base-3) number system. Instead, it relies on a binary (base-2) number system, just like classical computing. In quantum computing, the fundamental unit of information is called a qubit, which can exist in superpositions of states, representing both 0 and 1 simultaneously.
A qubit can be thought of as a two-level quantum system, and its state can be described by a linear combination of the basis states |0⟩ and |1⟩. This means that a qubit can exist in a coherent superposition of both states, denoted as α|0⟩ + β|1⟩, where α and β are complex numbers representing the probability amplitudes of each state. The probabilities of measuring the qubit in the states 0 or 1 are given by the squared magnitudes of α and β.
The superposition of states in quantum computing allows for parallel computations and enables quantum algorithms to perform certain types of calculations more efficiently compared to classical computers. Moreover, qubits can also be entangled, which means the state of one qubit becomes dependent on the state of another, even if they are physically separated.
While quantum mechanics can describe the behavior and properties of matter, quantum computing goes beyond simply representing the three classical states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas). It utilizes the principles of superposition, entanglement, and interference to perform computations with a potential for exponentially increased computational power in certain applications.