Simplification of Boolean Expressions

  • Thread starter Thread starter fazer2014
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Expressions
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the simplification of a Boolean expression, specifically focusing on the expression X = ((AB)'C(A' + (B+C)')'. Participants are exploring different approaches to simplify the expression and are trying to determine the correctness of their respective solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion over differing answers obtained while simplifying a Boolean expression and seeks assistance.
  • Another participant suggests creating truth tables for both results as a method to verify the correctness of the simplifications.
  • A participant claims that the two answers are equivalent and provides a step-by-step reasoning to support this assertion, indicating conditions under which certain terms can be dropped.
  • A later reply confirms the equivalence of the two expressions after drawing a truth table, indicating that the initial confusion has been resolved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Initially, there was disagreement regarding the correctness of the two answers, but later contributions suggest that the participants reached a consensus that the answers are indeed equivalent.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to basic Boolean operation rules and De Morgan's theorem, but does not delve into the specifics of the mathematical steps involved in the simplification process.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students new to Boolean algebra and logic circuits, particularly those grappling with simplification techniques and truth table analysis.

fazer2014
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Hi guys - I am really new here and am taking a very very elementary course in Logic circuits/Boolean algebra. We have been given a couple of simplification questions and I was convinced I had used all the theorems correctly but two of us got two different answers and we can't find who has gone wrong. Thankyou so much for your time.

1. Simplify the following Boolean Expression:

X = ((AB)'C(A' + (B+C)')'

Where ' indicates NOT.

Homework Equations



De Morgan, very basic boolean operation rules.

The Attempt at a Solution



It's much much easier to read because both solutions (we can't decide which one is correct) have been typed up - so I AM going to post images. But please don't think it's out of laziness - I legitimately think it's much easier to read! We have been trying to figure out who is correct for hours (if either of us are correct at all)...



 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
One thing you could try is making the truth tables for both results.
 
Hi nicola_a,

The two answers are not different. :smile:


AB + C + AC

= C + A(B+C)

For this,
if C=0, then this evaluates as true
if C=1, then (B+C) evaluates as true, so OR'ing with B is superfluous

= C + AC

Now,
if C=0, this evaluates as true
if C=1 ...

I leave you to justify dropping the AND'ing with C here. :wink:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thankyou CompuChip, I realized by drawing the truth table that they are they same!
And as I was drawing the truth table, you replied Nascent, so thank you too!
I didn't think of doing that - VERY new at this (only a few lectures into the course).
Thank you so much :) It was driving me nuts!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K