N. David Mermin reports that an unconventional strategy based on abstract but simple math concepts is sufficient to teach quantum mechanics to students interested in quantum computing application rather than physics. Many of the issues that confound students of physics to not apply to this case and the mathematical background of quantum computing resembles the background already taught in computer science. Mermin develops notation and operations with classical bits then introduces quantum bits as superpositions of two classical states. He never needs to discuss even the Planck constant, which he suggests is important for quantum computer hardware but not software.