Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm

The Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) is a quantum computing method designed to find good enough solutions to complex problems, like scheduling or routing, more efficiently than traditional computers. It works by preparing a quantum state that encodes potential solutions, then tweaks this state through a series of quantum operations to increase the chance of measuring a near-optimal answer. While it may not always find the perfect solution, QAOA aims to quickly produce high-quality results for problems that are extremely hard for classical computers, leveraging quantum mechanics to explore many possibilities simultaneously.