Full Adder Truth Table: Solving the Mystery

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on understanding the Full Adder truth table, specifically the confusion surrounding the carry-in value when both inputs A and B are 0. It clarifies that the truth table rows represent independent combinations of inputs A, B, and carry-in, rather than sequential results from previous calculations. The carry-in value can be set to 1 for specific scenarios, illustrating all possible input combinations. Participants emphasize that each binary addition can generate a carry that affects subsequent digits, but the truth table is not a step-by-step calculation. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that the truth table serves to show all potential outcomes for given inputs rather than a direct reflection of cumulative binary addition.
DiamondV
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I don't understand the second row of the truth table. If A is 0 and B is also 0 how is there a carry of 1 and a sum of 1. 0+0=0
 
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There are three inputs to that table, not two. They are A, B, and C-in.
 
anorlunda said:
There are three inputs to that table, not two. They are A, B, and C-in.

Where does the 1 of carry in come from? The carry in is created from the previous binary addition isn't it? If the carry out of the first addition is 0, how can there be a carry into the second one?
 
DiamondV said:
Where does the 1 of carry in come from?

It comes from the previous digit. Each binary digit when added creates a carry bit to the next most significant digit.
 
anorlunda said:
It comes from the previous digit. Each binary digit when added creates a carry bit to the next most significant digit.

Isn't that when only 1+1 is added? Like if I add 0+1. Ill get a sum of 1 and no carry as the resulting sum is a binary digit and isn't over 1.
 
Add 0011 plus 0001.

First digit 1+1 yields sum 0 carry 1.
Second digit 1+0+carry = 1+0+1 yields sum 0 carry 1.
Third digit 0+0+carry = 0+0+1 yields sum 1 carry 0
Fourth digit 0+0+carry = 0+0+0 yields sum 0 carry 0

Total sum 0100.

Does that help?
 
anorlunda said:
Add 0011 plus 0001.

First digit 1+1 yields sum 0 carry 1.
Second digit 1+0+carry = 1+0+1 yields sum 0 carry 1.
Third digit 0+0+carry = 0+0+1 yields sum 1 carry 0
Fourth digit 0+0+carry = 0+0+0 yields sum 0 carry 0

Total sum 0100.

Does that help?

Not really. I understand what your doing here with binary addition. But for some reason I am not understand where the carry in of 1 exactly came from. Like in the example you gave, since the first addition is 1+1 which in binary results in 10(from the rules that I've learnt), you write down the 0 as a sum and the 1 becomes a carry for the next addition, in which you're going to add the next two digits but also the carry from the last one. In the truth table above, the first addition is 0+0+0 which is 0 sum and 0 carry out. Since the carry out for the first addition is 0, how is there a carry in of 1 for the second addition

EDIT: Or wait? Is each row independant of other rows? So the carry in of 1 in the second row is just a value given to us, threres no reasoning behind it, is it just to show all possible values of each input A, B and carry in?
 
You are reading the table wrong. Each row in the table represents one of the eight possible combinations of A, B, and carry for a single binary digit. Each row is not the result of the row above.

To add 0011+0001 you must apply the entire table four times.
 
anorlunda said:
You are reading the table wrong. Each row in the table represents one of the eight possible combinations of A, B, and carry for a single binary digit. Each row is not the result of the row above.

To add 0011+0001 you must apply the entire table four times.
Ah. so for the first addition of your example of 1+1, I go to the A=1 and B=1 in the table and get the sum from there and also then use the carry out of that addition as the carry in of the next addition of 1+0 +carryin of 1
 
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Yes
 
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