Boolean Algebra

Digital Electronics

What is Boolean Algebra ?

Boolean Algebra is a mathematical technique that provides
the ability to algebraically simplify logic expressions. These
simplified expressions will result in a logic circuit that is
equivalent to the original circuit, yet requires fewer gates.

Z BC AB A C

Z A BC

George Boole
My name is George Boole and I lived
in England in the 19th century. My
work on mathematical logic, algebra,
and the binary number system has
had a unique influence upon the
development of computers. Boolean
Algebra is named after me.

Boolean Theorems (1 of 7)
Single Variable - AND Function
Theorem #1

Theorem #2

Theorem #3

Theorem #4

X 0 0

X 1 X

XX X

XX0

X
0

X
1

X
X

1
4

Boolean Theorems (2 of 7)
Single Variable - OR Function
Theorem #5

Theorem #6

Theorem #7

Theorem #8

X0 X

X 1 1

XXX

X X 1

X
0

X
1

X
X

1
5

Boolean Theorems (3 of 7)
Single Variable - Invert Function
Theorem #9

XX
X

X X X
0

1
6

Example #1: Boolean Algebra

Example
Simplify the following Boolean expression and note the
Boolean theorem used at each step. Put the answer in
SOP form.
F1 A A B C C D

Example #1: Boolean Algebra

Example
Simplify the following Boolean expression and note the
Boolean theorem used at each step. Put the answer in
SOP form.
F1 A A B C C D

Solution
F1 A A B C C D
F1 A B C C D

; Theorem #3

F1 A B 0 D

; Theorem #4

F1 A B 0

; Theorem #1

F1 A B

; Theorem #5

F1 A B

Example #2: Boolean Algebra

Example
Simplify the following Boolean expression and note the
Boolean theorem used at each step. Put the answer in
SOP form.
F2 B B C B C C A B 1 A B 0

Example #2: Boolean Algebra

Example
Simplify the following Boolean expression and note the Boolean
theorem used at each step. Put the answer in SOP form.

F2 B B C B C C A B 1 A B 0
Solution

F2 B B C B C C A B 1 A B 0
F2 B C B C A B 1 A B 0

; Theorem #3 (twice)

F2

BC

A B 1 A B 0

; Theorem #7

F2

BC

AB AB0

; Theorem #2

F2

BC

AB

; Theorem #1

F2

BC

AB

F2 B C A B

; Theorem #5
10

Boolean Theorems (4 of 7)
Commutative Law
Theorem #10A AND Function

XY Y X
Theorem #10B OR Function

XY Y X

11

Boolean Theorems (5 of 7)
Associative Law
Theorem #11A AND Function

X (Y Z) (X Y) Z
Theorem #11B OR Function

X (Y Z) (X Y) Z

12

Boolean Theorems (6 of 7)
Distributive Law
Theorem #12A AND Function

X (Y Z) X Y X Z
Theorem #12B OR Function

( X Y)(W Z) XW XZ YW YZ

13

Example #3: Boolean Algebra

Example
Simplify the following Boolean expression and note the
Boolean theorem used at each step. Put the answer in
SOP form.
F3 R T (R S)(R T)

14

Example #3: Boolean Algebra

Example
Simplify the following Boolean expression and note the Boolean
theorem used at each step. Put the answer in SOP form.

F3 R T (R S)(R T)

Solution
F3 R T R S R T

F3 R T R R R T S R S T ; Theorem #12B
F3 R T 0 R T S R S T

; Theorem #4

F3 R T R T S R S T

; Theorem #5

F3 T R R S S R

; Theorem #12A

F3

; Theorem #8

T 1 S S R

F3 T1 S R

; Theorem #6

F3 T S R

; Theorem #2

15

Boolean Theorems (7 of 7)
Consensus Theorem
Theorem #13A

XXYXY
Theorem #13B

XXYXY

Theorem #13C

XXYXY
Theorem #13D

XXYXY

16

Example #4: Boolean Algebra

Example
Simplify the following Boolean expression and note the
Boolean theorem used at each step. Put the answer in
SOP form.
F4 P S P Q S P Q S

17

Example #4: Boolean Algebra

Example
Simplify the following Boolean expression and note the Boolean
theorem used at each step. Put the answer in SOP form.

F4 P S P Q S P Q S
Solution
F4 P S P Q S P Q S

P S Q P Q S

; Theorem #13C

F4 P S PQ P Q S

; Theorem #12A

F4 PS 1 Q P Q

; Theorem #12A

F4 P S Q S P Q S ; Theorem #12A
F4

F4 PS 1 P Q

; Theorem #6

F4 PS P Q

; Theorem #2

18

Summary
Boolean Theorems
1)

X0 0

10A)

XY Y X

2)

X 1 X

10B)

XY Y X

3)

XX X

11A)

X YZ XY Z

4)

X X0

11B)

X Y Z X Y Z

5)

X0 X

12A)

X Y Z XY XZ

6)

X 1 1

12B)

X Y W Z XW XZ YW YZ

7)

XXX

13A)

X XY X Y

8)

X X 1

13B)

X XY X Y

9)

XX

13C)

X XY X Y

13D)

X XY X Y

Commutative
Law
Associative
Law
Distributive
Law

Consensus
Theorem

19