Use Algebraic Manipulation Part 2

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the algebraic manipulation of Boolean expressions involving three variables: x1, x2, and x3. Participants clarify that the expression $$\sum m(1,2,3,4,5,6,7)$$ represents the sum of minterms excluding the term for $\bar{x}\bar{y}\bar{z}$. The final simplified expression is confirmed as $$x1 + x2 + x3$$, derived from the truth table with 8 rows corresponding to the binary combinations of the three variables. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the definitions of minterms and the conversion between Disjunctive Normal Form (DNF) and Conjunctive Normal Form (CNF).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Boolean algebra and its principles
  • Familiarity with minterms and their notation in Boolean expressions
  • Knowledge of truth tables and their construction
  • Basic skills in algebraic manipulation of expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the definition and properties of minterms in Boolean algebra
  • Learn how to construct and interpret truth tables for Boolean functions
  • Explore the process of converting DNF to CNF in Boolean expressions
  • Investigate the implications of algebraic manipulation in digital circuit design
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Students of computer science, electrical engineering, and anyone involved in digital logic design or Boolean algebra applications.

shamieh
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Use algebraic manipulation to show that for three input varibles x1, x2, and x3

$$\sum$$m(1,2,3,4,5,6,7) = x1 + x2 + x3

So far all I have is a truth table with 8 rows because I know 2^3 = 8 (starting at 0 of course, just assume the list I prepared on here is starting at 0 and not 1 - ending at 7.)

  1. x1x2x3
  2. 0 0 0 = 0
  3. 0 0 1 = 1 [x! x! x] +
  4. 0 1 0 = 1 [x! x x!] +
  5. 0 1 1 = 1 [x! x x] +
  6. 1 0 0 = 1 [x x! x!] +
  7. 1 0 1 = 1 [x x! x] +
  8. 1 1 0 = 1 [x x x!] +
  9. 1 1 1 = 1 [x x x] +

So how do we go from:
= $$(x1x2x3+x1x2x3+x1x2x3+x1x2x3)+ (x1x2x3+x1x2x3+x1x2x3+x1x2x3) +(x1x2x3+x1x2x3+x1x2x3+x1x2x3)$$ <-- WHERE do these extra FOUR terms come out of nowhere??Here is the final solution. Just don't know how they got the four extra terms OR how they got there...
= x1+ x3+ x2

I am lost in the dark...(Emo)
 
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It's not clear to me what $\sum m(1,2,3,4,5,6,7)$ means. Is that
$$\sum m(1,2,3,4,5,6,7)=\bar{x} \bar{y} \bar{z}+\bar{x} y \bar{z}+\dots?$$
Are you summing all the terms except one? As you can see, I've changed your notation of $x_{1}, x_{2}, x_{3}$ to $x,y,z$, as they're much faster to type.
 
Ackbach said:
It's not clear to me what $\sum m(1,2,3,4,5,6,7)$ means. Is that
$$\sum m(1,2,3,4,5,6,7)=\bar{x} \bar{y} \bar{z}+\bar{x} y \bar{z}+\dots?$$
I think it is $\sum_{i=1}^7x^{b_2(i)}y^{b_1(i)}z^{b_0(i)}$ where $b_i(n)$ is the coefficient of $2^i$ in the binary expansion of $n$, i.e., the $i$th binary digit from the right, counting from $i=0$; $x^1=x$ and $x^0=\bar{x}$. Thus, \[\sum m(1,2,3,4,5,6,7)= \bar{x}\bar{y}z+\bar{x}y\bar{z}+\dots+xyz\]
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
I think it is $\sum_{i=1}^7x^{b_2(i)}y^{b_1(i)}z^{b_0(i)}$ where $b_i(n)$ is the coefficient of $2^i$ in the binary expansion of $n$, i.e., the $i$th binary digit from the right, counting from $i=0$; $x^1=x$ and $x^0=\bar{x}$. Thus, \[\sum m(1,2,3,4,5,6,7)= \bar{x}\bar{y}z+\bar{x}y\bar{z}+\dots+xyz\]

So it's every term except $\bar{x}\bar{y}\bar{z}$?
 
The way I wrote it is exactly how I was given the question on my homework, as well as in the book. So I am just as lost as you Ach...Lol:confused:
 
Ackbach said:
So it's every term except $\bar{x}\bar{y}\bar{z}$?
Yes. Thus, both this DNF and $x+y+z$ are false iff $x=y=z=0$. In fact, I don't know what $m(b_1,\dots,b_n)$ is, but it seems that instead of $\sum m(b_1,\dots,b_n)$ one should write $\sum_{i=1}^nm(i)$ or $m(b_1,\dots,b_n)$.

Converting a DNF into a CNF is simple in principle: apply repeatedly distributivity of conjunction over disjunction, merge disjunctions of the same literal and remove disjunction with complementary literals (e.g., $x$ and $\bar{x}$). Unfortunately, a DNF with 7 conjunctions and 3 literals in each conunctions generates $3^7=2187$ disjunctions, most of which are vacuously true. We need a meta-argument in English about a formal derivation, which is a series of equalities consisting of applications of Boolean laws. It seems that it is easiest to still go through truth tables. If necessary, I'll continue later.

shamieh said:
The way I wrote it is exactly how I was given the question on my homework, as well as in the book.
To be honest, I resent such remarks. I don't doubt that both the textbook and the homework statement used m(...), but I am sure that the textbook, as well as your instructor during the lectures, defined it earlier, probably gave several examples of this concept and discussed it in other ways. All it takes is going back and studying the theory before attempting to solve exercises, which in general is impossible to do without knowing the theory. If m(...) is indeed undefined, then you can not only complain to your instructor, but write to the textbook author, who will probably will be very glad to find this omission and will include it into later editions.
 

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