In Karnaugh Maps, which of the following terms refers to a group of adjacent…

Important Terms Used in Karnaugh Map (K-Map)

1. Karnaugh Map (K-Map)

A graphical method used to simplify Boolean expressions and reduce logic gates in digital circuits.

2. Cell

Each box in a K-Map is called a cell.
Every cell represents one minterm or maxterm.

3. Adjacent Cells

Cells differing by only one variable are called adjacent cells.

4. Group / Grouping

Combining adjacent cells together for simplification is called grouping.

5. Pair

A group containing 2 adjacent cells.

6. Quad

A group containing 4 adjacent cells.

7. Octet

A group containing 8 adjacent cells.

8. Singleton

A group containing only one cell.

Boolean Expression Terms

9. Minterm

A product term in which all variables appear once in either complemented or uncomplemented form.

Represented by: Σm

Example:
A'BC

10. Maxterm

A sum term in which all variables appear once.

Represented by: ΠM

Example:
A + B' + C

11. SOP (Sum of Products)

ORing of multiple product terms.

Example:
AB + A'C

12. POS (Product of Sums)

ANDing of multiple sum terms.

Example:
(A+B)(A'+C)

13. Boolean Expression

Logical expression formed using AND, OR, and NOT operations.

14. Variable

Input symbols used in Boolean expressions such as A, B, C, D.

Grouping Related Terms

15. Implicant

A term that covers one or more cells containing 1s in a K-Map.

Example:
A group formed from adjacent 1s.

16. Prime Implicant

The largest possible valid group formed in K-Map that cannot be combined further.

Example:

• Quad is preferred over Pair

• Octet is preferred over Quad

17. Essential Prime Implicant

A prime implicant that covers at least one unique cell not covered by any other group.

Meaning:
Without this group, that cell cannot be included in the final simplified expression.

18. Redundant Prime Implicant

A prime implicant that is not necessary because all its cells are already covered by other groups.

19. Covered Cell

A cell included inside a group.

20. Uncovered Cell

A cell not included in any group.

21. Overlapping Group

When one cell belongs to more than one group.

22. Dominant Group

The largest possible group preferred during simplification.

Special K-Map Terms

23. Don’t Care Condition

Input combinations whose output does not matter.

Represented by:
X

These may be treated as either 0 or 1 for simplification.

24. Gray Code

Special binary sequence used in K-Map arrangement where only one bit changes at a time.

Example:
00, 01, 11, 10

25. Wrapping Around

In K-Map, edge cells are also considered adjacent.

26. Power-of-2 Grouping

Groups must contain cells in powers of 2:

1, 2, 4, 8, 16 …

27. Simplification

Process of reducing Boolean expressions using grouping techniques.

28. Logic 1 Cell

Cell containing binary value 1 used for SOP simplification.

29. Logic 0 Cell

Cell containing binary value 0 used for POS simplification.

Canonical Forms

30. Canonical SOP

Expression written completely in minterm form.

31. Canonical POS

Expression written completely in maxterm form.