A pedagogical proposal for teaching quantum computing using a 5-qubit processor

Abstract Our study consisted in analyzing a real quantum processor, called IBM Q experience (IBM-Q), as a pedagogical resource for the application of quantum computing concepts. This 5-qubits processor can be accessed remotely by internet using a platform developed by IBM technology company. We focused on characterizing several practical and methodological aspects of the IBM-Q. We have evaluated the main conditions for accessing this quantum processor and the interface quality regarding to simplicity and execution. In our analysis, the results of the computational projects are in agreement with the theoretical predictions. The overall results have also demonstrated the IBM-Q is an effective pedagogical resource, focused on tasks such as and assembly execution of simple blocks of quantum circuits.