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Justin Trudeau shuts down sarcastic reporter with an impromptu explanation of quantum computing

The Prime Minister of Canada has enthralled fans with his flawless synopsis

Maya Oppenheim
Tuesday 19 April 2016 09:49 BST
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After a sarcastic reporter asked him to explain quantum computing the self-avowed 'geek' leapt to the challenge and put him to shame
After a sarcastic reporter asked him to explain quantum computing the self-avowed 'geek' leapt to the challenge and put him to shame (Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

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From yoga poses to charity strip-teases to fervent declarations of feminism, Justin Trudeau has routinely won the hearts and laughs of the Internet.

In his latest appearance, the Prime Minister of Canada has enthralled fans with his simple but eloquent explanation of quantum computing. On Friday, the self-avowed “geek” visited Canada’s world-renowned theoretical physics establishment, the Perimeter Institute, and departed with a viral video.

After a sarcastic reporter asked him to explain quantum computing, the self-avowed “geek” leapt to the challenge and put him to shame.

“Very simply, normal computers work by ...” Trudeau expounded while the crowd burst into fits of laughter.

“No, no, no. Don’t interrupt me… Normal computers work, either there’s one power going through a wire or not. It’s one or a zero, they’re binary systems. What quantum states allow for is much more complex information to be encoded into a single bit.”

“Don’t get me going on this or we’ll be here all day. Trust me, “ the former Maths and French teacher later added.

His impromptu scientific explanation garnered a standing ovation from a room packed with expert physicists, students and specialist reporters.

Trudeau fans have praised the perfect explanation of the concept on social media.

Trudeau is the second youngest man to be elected Prime Minister in Canada and is also thought to be the only Western world leader who has a tattoo of planet earth inside a Haida raven on his arm.

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