DEMORGANS THEOREMS

DEMORGANS THEOREMS

DeMorgans Theorems are two additional

simplification techniques that can be used to
simplify Boolean expressions. Again, the
simpler the Boolean expression, the simpler the
resulting logic.

A B A B
A B A B
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DEMORGANS THEOREM #1

A B A B

Proof
A B

A B

A B

A
B

A B

A B

A B

A B

A B

The truth-tables are equal; therefore,

the Boolean equations must be equal.

DEMORGANS THEOREM #2

Proof

A B A B

A B
A B

A
B

A B

A B A B

A B
A B

A B

1
1

The truth-tables are equal; therefore,

the Boolean equations must be equal.

SUMMARY

Boolean & DeMorgans Theorems

1)

X 0 0

10A)

X Y Y X

2)

X 1 X

10B)

XY Y X

3)

XX X

11A)

X YZ XY Z

4)

XX0

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

14A)

XYXY

14B)

XYX Y

Commutative
Law
Associative
Law
Distributive
Law

Consensus
Theorem

DeMorgans

DEMORGAN SHORTCUT

BREAK THE LINE, CHANGE THE SIGN

Break the LINE over the two variables,
and change the SIGN directly under the line.

A B A B

A B A B

For Theorem #14A, break the line, and

change the AND function to an OR function.
Be sure to keep the lines over the variables.

For Theorem #14B, break the line, and

change the OR function to an AND function.
Be sure to keep the lines over the variables.
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DEMORGANS: EXAMPLE #1

Example
Simplify the following Boolean expression
and note the Boolean or DeMorgans
theorem used at each step. Put the answer
in SOP form.
F1 ( X Y ) ( Y Z )
7

DEMORGANS: EXAMPLE #1
Example
Simplify the following Boolean expression and note the Boolean or DeMorgans
theorem used at each step. Put the answer in SOP form.

F1 ( X Y ) ( Y Z )
Solution

F1 ( X Y ) ( Y Z)
F1 ( X Y ) ( Y Z ) ; Theorem #14A
F1 ( X Y ) ( Y Z )

; Theorem #9 & #14B

F1 ( X Y ) ( Y Z )

; Theorem #9

F1 X Y Y Z

; Rewritten without AND symbols

and parentheses

DEMORGANS: EXAMPLE #2
So, where would such an odd Boolean expression come
from? Take a look at the VERY poorly designed logic circuit
shown below. If you were to analyze this circuit to
determine the output function F2, you would obtain the
results shown.
X
Y

XY

XY

( X Z)( XY )

F2 ( X Z )( XY )

X
Z

XZ

Example
Simplify the output function F2. Be sure to note the
Boolean or DeMorgans theorem used at each step. Put
the answer in SOP form.

DEMORGANS: EXAMPLE #2

Solution
F 2 ( X Z )( XY )
F 2 ( X Z ) ( XY ) ; Theorem #14A
F 2 ( X Z ) ( XY ) ; Theorem #9
F 2 ( X Z) ( XY )

; Theorem #14B

F 2 ( X Z) ( XY )

; Theorem #9

F2 X Z X Y

; Rewritten without AND symbols

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