Which are the essential prime implicants of the following Boolean function? f…

2004

Which are the essential prime implicants of the following Boolean function?

f (a, b, c) = a’c + ac’ + b’c

  1. A.

    a’c and ac’

  2. B.

    a’c and b’c

  3. C.

    a’c only

  4. D.

    ac’ and bc’

Attempted by 149 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Identify Prime Implicants (Groups)

  • Group 1 (m1, m3): Corresponds to ac.

    • Analysis: Minterm 3 is only covered by this group. Therefore, this is an Essential Prime Implicant.

  • Group 2 (m4, m6): Corresponds to ac.

    • Analysis: Minterm 6 is only covered by this group. Therefore, this is an Essential Prime Implicant.

  • Other Groups: Groups can be formed for (m1,m5) and (m4,m5), but m5 is not unique to a single prime implicant (it can be covered by either bc or ab), so these are not essential.

Conclusion The Essential Prime Implicants are ac and ac.

Correct Option: (A)

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