Constructing a circuit from a Boolean expression

  • Context: Engineering 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim01
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circuit Expression
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around constructing a circuit from a given Boolean expression, specifically the expression P v (~P ^ ~Q). Participants explore the process of translating this expression into a circuit diagram, addressing the order of operations and the use of logic gates.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their approach to constructing the circuit, indicating that they interpret the instruction to start from the outermost part of the expression, which they find counter-intuitive.
  • Another participant suggests using WolframAlpha to visualize the logic gates and generate a truth table, providing an example link for reference.
  • A later reply expresses gratitude for the information received, affirming that their initial interpretation was correct and clarifying their confusion regarding the order of operations.
  • One participant proposes a simplification of the expression using the identity a + a'b = a + b, suggesting an alternative approach to the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to constructing the circuit, but there is no consensus on the best method to visualize the circuit or the implications of the order of operations in Boolean algebra.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the interpretation of the order of operations in Boolean expressions, particularly in relation to traditional mathematical conventions.

Jim01
Messages
36
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Construct a circuit from the Boolean equation:

Homework Equations



P v (~P ^ ~Q)


The Attempt at a Solution



According to the textbook, I am supposed to go from right to left, working on the outermost part of the expression to the innermost part. I read this as saying that even though the outermost part of the expression is on the far left, it is where I begin. Is this correct? I come up with one OR gate, one AND gate and two NOT gates. I tried to draw this out using the keyboard but it doesn't format properly and so is incomprehensible. Here is what I came up with:


P goes into a NOT and comes out ~P. ~P goes into AND and comes out ~P ^ Q.
P goes into OR and comes out P v (~P ^ ~Q)

Q goes into NOT and comes out ~Q. ~Q goes into AND and comes out ~P ^ Q.

~P ^ Q goes into OR and comes out P v (~P ^ ~Q)

Am I on the right track?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Is there a way of adding gates to my thread? I attempted to cut and paste my Viso drawing but that didn't work. It is a lot easier to see the circuit rather than read and try to visualize it.
 
jegues said:
If you use the proper syntax, wolframalpha will provide with a picture of the logic gates as well as a truth table.

For example,

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=(x or y) and (x or !y)

Outstanding! Thank you for the information. After checking it I was right! I'm on the right track then. I was unsure whether or not I was interpreting the instructions correctly since most math has you doing everything inside the parenthesis first. It's counter-intuitive to do it last, so I was afraid I was misunderstanding.

Once again, thank you for your help.
 
Of course you can make it simpler using the identity

a + a'b = a + b
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K