How to Simplify a Boolean Reduction Problem?

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The discussion revolves around simplifying a Boolean reduction problem involving the expression (ab)(¬c + ¬d) + (a + b)(¬c¬d). Participants clarify the notation used, with some confusion over the representation of AND and OR operations. Suggestions include using variable substitutions to simplify the expression further and applying Boolean algebra rules like commutative and associative properties. There is a debate on whether to use variable replacements or stick to direct simplification methods. The conversation highlights the need for clarity in notation and understanding Boolean operations to effectively tackle the problem.
DethRose
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Ive been working on this problem for hours and its due on monday i really need help :bugeye: !

heres the boolean reduction i have to do
(ab)(\overline c+\overline d)+(a+b)(\overline c\overline d)

heres what I've done
***_******_ _**_ _
AB C+ABD+AC D+BC D
***_***_ _
AB(C+D)+C D (A+B)

i have no idea where to go from there...thanks for you help

the stars are just to keep the bars over top of the correct letter so you know which ones are inverted

andrew
 
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I am a bit confused by your symbology.

I assume + equal to AND , the bar should be NOT but what is meant by AB?

look here to learn how to do this

AB \overline {C}
 
Correction:

AB = A and B
A+B = A or B.

That seems to be the archaic form according to various websites. But that is the form that I was familiar with along time ago.
 
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when the numbers are right beside each other they are anded together..and when there is a plus sign it means they are ord...thats the way I've been taught to represent them haha...the bar on top means the input is inverted
 
heres the revised formula haha

(ab)(\overline c+\overline d)+(a+b)(\overline c\overline d)
 
DethRose said:
heres the revised formula haha

(ab)(\overline c+\overline d)+(a+b)(\overline c\overline d)


\overline{C} + \overline{D}=\overline{CD}

(A + B)\overline{CD} + (AB)\overline {CD} = \overline{CD}(AB + A +B )

A + B + AB = A + B

AB(\overline{C} + \overline{D}) + (A+B)(\overline{C}\overline{D}) = (A+B)\overline{CD}


ehild
 
that doesn't work because the cd in brackets doesn't have a whole bar on top of it...it is split in half
 
Correctly written, original problem should be:
AB(\overline{C} + \overline{D}) + (A+B)(\overline{C}\,\overline{D})

What if one lets:

W=AB

X=\overline{C}+\overline{D}

Y=A+B

Z=\overline{C}\,\overline{D}


Then the above original expression becomes

(WX) + (YZ)

((WX)+Y)((WX)+Z)

(W+Y)(X+Y)(W+Z)(X+Z)

or

\Big({(AB)+(A+B)}\Big) \Big({\overline{C}+\overline{D}+A+B}\Big)\Big({AB\overline{C}\,\overline{D}}\Big)\Big(({\overline{C}+\overline{D})\overline{C}\,\overline{D}}\Big)

then make use of commutative and associative properties and

a(a+b) = a+(ab) = a

so for example

(AB)+(A+B) = ((AB)+A)+B = A+B

You'll need to do a sanity check on the intermedate relationships (W, X, Y, Z). It's been awhile since I have done this.
 
i have no idea what you are doing there...there has to be a way to do it without having to replace the variables and just using the boolean rules i think
 

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