Generalized Kochen-Specker theorem

A generalized Kochen-Specker theorem is proved. It is shown that there exist sets of n projection operators, representing n yes-no questions about a quantum system, such that none of the 2 possible answers is compatible with sum rules imposed by quantum mechanics. Namely, if a subset of commuting projection operators sums up to a matrix having only even or only odd eigenvalues, the number of yes answers ought to he even or odd, respectively. This requirement may lead to contradictions. An example is provided, involving nine projection operators in a 4-dimensional space.Dedicated to Professor Max Jammer on the occasion of his 80th birthday.I am grateful to N. D. Mermin for patiently explaining to me that ref. 11 was a Kochen-Specker argument, not one about locality, as I had wrongly thought. This work was supported by the Gerard Swope Fund, and the Fund for Encouragement of Research.