Consider the following Boolean expression. \(F=(X+Y+Z)(\overline X…

2021

Consider the following Boolean expression.

\(F=(X+Y+Z)(\overline X +Y)(\overline Y +Z)\)

Which of the following Boolean expressions is/are equivalent to \(\overline F\) (complement of \(F\))?

  1. A.

    \((\overline X +\overline Y +\overline Z)(X+\overline Y)(Y+\overline Z)\)

  2. B.

    \(X\overline Y + \overline Z\)

  3. C.

    \((X+\overline Z)(\overline Y +\overline Z)\)

  4. D.

    \(X\overline Y +Y\overline Z + \overline X\; \overline Y \;\overline Z\)

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Correct answer: B, C, D

Start by applying De Morgan's law to the product F = (X+Y+Z)(X̄+Y)(Ȳ+Z). The complement is a sum of complements:

  • (X+Y+Z)' = X̄ Ȳ Z̄

  • (X̄+Y)' = X Ȳ

  • (Ȳ+Z)' = Y Z̄

Therefore F' = X̄ Ȳ Z̄ + X Ȳ + Y Z̄

Show that X Ȳ + Z̄ is equivalent to this result:

  • X Ȳ + Z̄ = X Ȳ + (Ȳ Z̄ + Y Z̄) = X Ȳ + Y Z̄ + Ȳ Z̄

  • Ȳ Z̄ = X Ȳ Z̄ + X̄ Ȳ Z̄. The term X Ȳ Z̄ is absorbed by X Ȳ, leaving X̄ Ȳ Z̄.

Thus X Ȳ + Z̄ simplifies to X̄ Ȳ Z̄ + X Ȳ + Y Z̄, which is exactly F'.

Also note that (X+Z̄)(Ȳ+Z̄) expands and reduces to X Ȳ + Z̄, so it is equivalent to F'.

By contrast, (X̄ + Ȳ + Z̄)(X + Ȳ)(Y + Z̄) does not equal F'. For example, when X=1, Y=0, Z=1 this product evaluates to 0 while F' evaluates to 1, so the two expressions differ.

Final conclusion:

  • The following are equivalent to the complement of F: X Ȳ + Z̄

  • (X+Z̄)(Ȳ+Z̄) which reduces to X Ȳ + Z̄

  • X Ȳ + Y Z̄ + X̄ Ȳ Z̄ (the direct De Morgan form)

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