An optimal quantum algorithm to approximate the mean and its application for approximating the median of a set of points over an arbitrary distance
Gilles Brassard, Frédéric Dupuis, Sébastien Gambs, Alain Tapp · arXiv (Cornell University) · 2011
We describe two quantum algorithms to approximate the mean value of a black-box function. The first algorithm is novel and asymptotically optimal while the second is a variation on an earlier algorithm due to Aharonov. Both algorithms have their own strengths and caveats and may be relevant in different contexts. We then propose a new algorithm for approximating the median of a set of points over an arbitrary distance function.