Is This Boolean Expression Simplified Correctly?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the simplification of a Boolean expression, specifically the expression ((ab)'(b'c)' + a'bpc'). Participants are examining the correctness of a logic circuit diagram and exploring potential simplifications using Boolean algebra techniques, including DeMorgan's theorem and truth table generation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the Boolean expression and asks if their logic circuit diagram is correct.
  • Another participant finds the diagram somewhat confusing but believes it appears correct.
  • Several participants suggest that the expression can be simplified using DeMorgan's theorem and the distributive property of AND in Boolean algebra.
  • One participant notes that a variable 'p' is missing from a proposed simplification and provides a corrected expression.
  • Truth table outputs are discussed, with participants sharing their results and confirming they match.
  • There is a reiteration of the simplification process, with acknowledgment of the absorption of terms in Boolean expressions.
  • Another participant summarizes the expression as breaking down to a'b + b'c' + a'bp.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the simplification process, with some proposing various forms of the expression while others point out missing variables. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the most simplified form of the expression and the correctness of the truth table outputs.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that they were only considering parts of the original equation for simplification, which may affect the overall understanding of the expression. There are also mentions of potential confusion in the logic circuit diagram.

ibcoding
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The boolean expression I am working with is:

((ab)'(b'c)' + a'bpc') where ' is the NOT symbol.

I have the following logic circuit diagram. Is it correct?








 

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Welcome to PF!

The diagram is confusing a bit, because one of the a lines is very close to one of the b lines. However it looks correct to me.
 
Ok, I know exactly which line you are talking about; I thought the same thing. I'll change that around. Thanks!
 
I think you can simplify this a lot using DeMorgan's and other things. For instance, take the first input to the OR gate:

(ab)' * (b'c)'

Using DeMorgan's theorem (xy)' = x' + y', you can expand each thing in parentheses:

= (a' + b') * (b + c') [eq. 1]

and now using the distributive property of AND operator (which I believe is present for Boolean algebra?)

= a'b + a'c' + b'b + b'c'

and using the associative property:

a'(b + c') + 0 + b'c'

Anything OR'd with 0 is just itself, so this becomes:

a'(b + c') + b'c' [eq. 2]

I'm not sure that this is any simpler in this case, but the point is that you could, in principle, try to minimize the number of gates. I wrote a little program to generate the truth tables for eq. 1 and eq. 2 and they came out the same.
 
Last edited:
Alright, variable p is missing from that equation, but I get the idea. On that note, is this the correct truth table outputs:

1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
 
cepheid said:
I think you can simplify this a lot using DeMorgan's and other things. For instance, take the first input to the OR gate:

(ab)' * (b'c)'

Using DeMorgan's theorem (xy)' = x' + y', you can expand each thing in parentheses:

= (a' + b') * (b + c') [eq. 1]

and now using the distributive property of AND operator (which I believe is present for Boolean algebra?)

= a'b + a'c' + b'b + b'c'

and using the associative property:

a'(b + c') + 0 + b'c'

Anything OR'd with 0 is just itself, so this becomes:

a'(b + c') + b'c' [eq. 2]

I'm not sure that this is any simpler in this case, but the point is that you could, in principle, try to minimize the number of gates. I wrote a little program to generate the truth tables for eq. 1 and eq. 2 and they came out the same.

Ahh, the a' a' are adjacent so it is absorbed, got ya
 
So the equation should be a'(b + c') + b'pc'
 
which gives me three and gates and two or gates
 
ibcoding said:
Alright, variable p is missing from that equation, but I get the idea.


Well, I was ONLY considering the (ab)'(b'c)' in the original equation, as an example. I wasn't trying to simplify the whole thing.

ibcoding said:
On that note, is this the correct truth table outputs:
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0

Here's what I get:

Code:
a	|	b	|	c	|	p	|	f
0 	|	0 	|	0 	|	0 	|	1
0 	|	0 	|	0 	|	1 	|	1
0 	|	0 	|	1 	|	0 	|	0
0 	|	0 	|	1 	|	1 	|	0
0 	|	1 	|	0 	|	0 	|	1
0 	|	1 	|	0 	|	1 	|	1
0 	|	1 	|	1 	|	0 	|	1
0 	|	1 	|	1 	|	1 	|	1
1 	|	0 	|	0 	|	0 	|	1
1 	|	0 	|	0 	|	1 	|	1
1 	|	0 	|	1 	|	0 	|	0
1 	|	0 	|	1 	|	1 	|	0
1 	|	1 	|	0 	|	0 	|	0
1 	|	1 	|	0 	|	1 	|	0
1 	|	1 	|	1 	|	0 	|	0
1 	|	1 	|	1 	|	1 	|	0
 
  • #10
Sorry, I wasn't complaining. :) Alright, that's the same as what I have.
 
  • #11
The equation breaks down to a'b + b'c' + a'bp, I believe.
 

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