Topic 1.2.

3 Karnaugh maps

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this topic you will be able to;
Draw a Karnaugh map for a logic system with up to four inputs and use

it to minimise the number of gates required;

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Karnaugh maps.
Congratulations on reaching this point in the course, which will mean that you
have successfully battled your way through some pretty tough Boolean
simplification techniques, which became very complex at times.
In this unit we are going to show you another method of simplification, which
you will hopefully find much quicker and less prone to error, as in many cases
the simplest Boolean expression is obtained immediately, without the need
for any further manipulation using Boolean algebra. So here we go !
This method of simplification of requires the production of a diagram to
represent the contents of a truth table, (or a map). Let us look at a very
simple example for a two input logic gate. From our previous work you will
realise that a two input gate can have four different possible settings. The
truth table looks like.
Inputs
B
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
0
1
1
1

What type of logic gate is this ? ....................................................

An alternative way of presenting this data is as follows
A
B
0 1
0

Can you see how the logic state of Q has been transferred to the diagram ?

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

This diagram is in fact a Karnaugh map, each square or cell in the Karnaugh
map corresponds to a cell in truth table, as shown below.

A
B

0
1

A
B
0
1

A
B
0
1

A
B
0
1

Now you should be able to complete a Karnaugh map for any two input logic
function, so lets put that to the test.
3

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Exercise 1 Complete the following Truth Tables and Karnaugh maps for the
logic gates named.
1.

AND gate:
A
B

0
1

2.

NOR gate:
Inputs
B
0
0
1
1

3.

A
0
1
0
1

Output
A
Q
B
0
1

ExOR gate
A
B
0
1

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

4.

NAND gate
A
B

0
1

5.

ExNOR gate
A
B
0
1

An alternative way of looking at the cells in the Karnaugh map is shown below:
A
B

A.B

A.B

A.B

A.B

This should give you a clue as to how we can read a Karnaugh map, since each
cell has its own Boolean expression!

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
So we can now fill in a Karnaugh map, but how do we read them to obtain a
Boolean expression? Complete the Karnaugh map for the following truth table.
A
B

0
1

In this case, the truth table and the Karnaugh map do not match one of our
standard logic gates, but we can extract the Boolean equation straight from
the cell in the Karnaugh map containing a logic 1, i.e. A.B
So what, you might say, there doesnt seem to be a lot of point in what we
are doing here, because we could have obtained this directly from the truth
table, without having to draw the Karnaugh map. Let us have a look at another
example.
Inputs
B
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
1
1
0
1

A
B

At first glance this might look like one of our standard logic gates, however it
isnt. Now if we write down the Boolean expression for each logic 1 in the map
we get the following:
A.B A.B A.B

This is not exactly the simplest of Boolean equations and we could have
obtained the same result from the truth table there still doesnt appear to
be much of an advantage to the Karnaugh map.
6

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Let us look at that expression and simplify it using Boolean Algebra to obtain
the simplest solution.
A.B A.B A.B
A.B A.(B B)
A.B A
BA

Now look at the Karnaugh map again

A
B

If we think of the right hand side of the Karnaugh map and compare it to the
map we introduced earlier showing the Boolean terms for each cell we obtain
the following:
A
B

What this shows is that the Boolean terms we have grouped together are:
A.B A.B
A.(B B)
A.1
A

Using the Karnaugh map is a graphical method of finding the common factors
in a Boolean expression. If we look at the Karnaugh map we can see that the
group of 1s we have identified corresponds to when input A is a logic 1, which
corresponds to the simplest term obtained via the Boolean simplification.

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Now consider the following alternative grouping that could have been created.
A
B

A.B A.B

A.B

A.B

Again this shows that the Boolean terms we have grouped together are:
A.B A.B
B.( A A )
B.1
B

If we look at the Karnaugh map we can see that the group of 1s we have
identified corresponds to when input B is a logic 0, or B , which corresponds
to the simplest term obtained via the Boolean simplification.
If we put the two results together we obtain the simplest solution as
A B

In practice we would perform these two simplifications in one step as shown

below:
B
A
B

The advantage of a Karnaugh map is that we can quickly spot the common
terms in a complicated expression. This advantage will be more obvious when
we deal with 4 input expressions.
The only thing we have to be sure of is that every logic 1 in the map is
included in at least one group.
8

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Example 2 : Try the following example:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Complete the Karnaugh map.

Group the logic 1s together
Write down the Boolean term for each group linked by the OR
function +.
Check your answer by simplifying the expression obtained from the
truth table using the rules of Boolean Algebra.
A
B

0
1

Simplest Expression from map = .......................................................

Boolean simplification from Truth Table.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
Hopefully you are beginning to see the advantages of using a Karnaugh map,
but for two input logic functions there is not a great deal of advantage to be
gained. The true power of Karnaugh maps becomes much clearer when we look
at three and four input logic systems, which is where we will go next.

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Three Input Logic Systems.
A three input logic system will have eight possible input combinations as
shown below.
Inputs
B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q

We need a bigger Karnaugh map to accommodate the extra input details, and
this is shown below:
BA
C

00 01 11 10
0
1

Things to note:
i.
the inputs A and B have been linked together on the top row of the
Karnaugh map.
ii.
the sequence of combinations for A.B , is not quite as you might
expect. They do not increase numerically as they move across the
table. This is deliberate, as it ensure that from one cell to the next
only one variable changes. This is essential if the Karnaugh map is
to be read correctly.

10

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

The completion of the Karnaugh map is carried out in a similar way to that of
the two input map. In the 2 diagrams below, letters have been used to help
you identify how the various rows in the truth table correspond to the cells
on a Karnaugh map:

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

Inputs
B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

Example :

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

Inputs
B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

We use the same rules as before to group the Logic 1s together as a group as
shown below.
Now write down the Boolean expression
BA
for
C
00 01 11 10
each group. The rule is that we ignore
any
0
1 1 0 1
variable that changes between groups.
1
0 0 0 1
B.A{Note:

C changes but not

B.A

}
11

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
So the Boolean Expression is
C.B }
B.C A.B .
Now compare this to the Boolean Simplification.
{Note:
C.B

A changes but not

A.B.C A.B.C A.B.C A.B.C

B.C.( A A ) A.B.(C C)
B.C A.B

Now consider the following example.

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

Inputs
B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

Output
Q
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

In this case there are a large number of logic 1s in the Karnaugh map, we
could group these into three groups of 2 as we have done previously.
BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

Using our normal rules we obtain the following

Boolean expression.
B.C A.B A.B

This does not look to be a very simple solution, and indeed we can use Boolean
Algebra to simplify this further as follows:
B.C A.B A.B
B.C B.( A A )
B.C B
C B

12

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

If we reconsider the simpler solution we have just obtained with the original
Karnaugh map we can identify why we did not get the simple answer straight
away.
The simplest Boolean expression is
C{Note:

BA
C

CB .

The Karnaugh map is:

A and B change but not C }

00 01 11 10
0

B{Note: A and C change but not B }

The Karnaugh map shows that the two terms in the simplest Boolean
expression refer to groups of 4 logic 1s in the map. This gives us another rule
for working with Karnaugh maps Group the logic 1s into the largest group
possible, i.e. groups of 2 or 4 adjacent cells.
Exercise 3 Derive the simplest Boolean expression for the logic function
defined by the truth table.

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

Inputs
B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
1

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression = ...............................................................................

13

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Before we look at 4 input Karnaugh maps, there is one more special case we
need to consider for three inputs. Let us assume that a logic circuit has
produced the following Karnaugh map.
BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

At first glance it might appear that we would have to group these as two
groups of 2, giving the Boolean expression as:
A.B A.B

But this can be simplified to just A , which would indicate from our previous
work that there should be a group of 4 logic 1s in this map, and indeed there
is if we imagine the map rolled around so that the two ends meet.
BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

You will need to watch out for this in any examples you do, as it can often be
forgotten, leading to a more complex Boolean expression than needed.
You should begin to see now how the larger the group of 1s we can produce
the simpler our Boolean expression becomes.
This will become even more obvious as we consider the 4 input logic systems.

14

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Four input Logic Systems
The four input logic system produces 16 possible combinations of the 4
inputs, and this will require a much larger truth table, and a further extension
to the Karnaugh map, as shown below:
Inputs
D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Check the Karnaugh map carefully to ensure you are happy with the location
of each line of the truth table in the Karnaugh map. When you have done a
few of these it will become a little easier, but in the early stages it is worth
taking your time when transferring the information from the truth table to
ensure you have not made an error.
Once the data has been transferred we simply apply all of the rules we have
discovered so far, namely
Group all logic 1s into as big a group as possible, i.e. groups of 2, 4 or 8
adjacent cells.
Ensure all logic 1s are included in at least one group
Write down the Boolean expression for each group, joined by +.
15

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Example:
Inputs
D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
1

The Karnaugh map is as

follows:

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Considering the Karnaugh map carefully there are three groups that can be
formed as shown. Notice that one group of terms wraps around the map to
give a small group of 2 Logic 1s. The following Boolean expression results.
A.C A.B A.C.D

This expression was obtained in one step, consider the simplification via
Boolean algebra.
A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C.D
A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C.(D D) A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C.D
A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.C A.B.C.(D D) A.B.C.D
A.C.D.(B B) A.B.C.D A.B.C A.B.C. A.B.C.D
A.C.D A.B.C.D A.C.(B B) A.B.C.D
A.C.D A.B.C.(D D) A.C

A.C.D A.B.C A.C

A.C.D A.(B.C C)
A.C.D A.(B C)

A.C.D A.B A.C

16

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Having seen both methods of solution, which one do you prefer, Boolean or
Karnaugh maps ?
A silly question I would think, because it is only now that we can see the
power of using the Karnaugh map. Before letting you loose with a few
examples it is worth spending a few minutes looking for some special links
that exist in the Karnaugh map for four inputs. You will remember that there
was one special case for the three input where a group of 4 could be created
by folding the map around that the two ends came together. A similar
situation occurs with the Karnaugh map for 4 inputs, only more frequently.
BA

BA
DC

00 01 11 10

DC

00 01 11 10

00

00

01

01

11

11

10

10

A.C

A.C

BA
DC

BA
00 01 11 10

DC

00 01 11 10

00

00

01

01

11

11

10

10

A.C

17

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Now its time for you to have a go at an example.
Example 2:
The following truth table contains the function of a logic circuit. Use the
blank Karnaugh map provided to determine the simplest Boolean expression to
show how the output Q can be derived from inputs A, B, C and D.
Inputs
D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
DC1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

BA
00
01
11
10

Output
Q
0
0
0
1
1
001 01 11 10
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0

{Hint : you should be able to find three groups in the Karnaugh map when it is
completed.}

Simplest Boolean expression is : ...............................................................................

18

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Before proceeding with some further examples, a word of caution. Karnaugh
maps are a graphical way of grouping common terms together. The way in
which the groups are formed will determine the resulting expression, and this
may lead to different answers which are completely correct. To illustrate
this consider the following example:
Assume that a particular design has produced the following Karnaugh map.
BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Now consider the same map showing two different ways of grouping the Logic
1s, together and the resulting Boolean expressions.
BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Q A.B.D B.C.D A.B.D B.C.D

OR

Q A.B.C A.C.D A.B.C A.C.D

Looking at these two expressions you should realise that they are completely
different, both have the same number of terms so neither is a better
solution than the other, and they are both correct.
19

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
In an examination you will gain marks for doing the following things:
i.

for correctly completing the Karnaugh map from a truth table or

Boolean expression.
ii. identifying the largest groups of adjacent Logic 1s.
iii. including every logic 1 in the map in at least one group, or
individually if there are no adjacent 1s.
iv. then writing down a correct Boolean expression for each of the
groups you have shown in the Karnaugh map.
You should bear this in mind when checking your answers to the following
problems. If you have chosen a different grouping of the Logic 1s to that
shown in the solutions, you may have a different but equally correct solution.
If you are not sure, ask your tutor to check this for you.
Now its time for you to have a go at some problems.

20

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Exercise 4 Determine the simplest Boolean expression for the following:
1.
Inputs
B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
1

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression = ...............................................................................

2.
Inputs

=
..

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
C

B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
Inputs
B

Output
A
Q
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
Output
Q

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00
01
11
10

Simplest Boolean Expression

........................................................
.......................
3.

21

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

0
1
1
1
0
1
0
1

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression = ...............................................................................

4.
Inputs
D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00
01
11
10

Simplest Boolean Expression = .................................................................................

22

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

5.
Inputs
B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

Output
Q
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression = ...............................................................................

6.
Inputs

=
..

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00
01
11
10

Simplest Boolean Expression

........................................................
.......................

23

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
You are now in a position to complete a Karnaugh map for 2, 3 and 4 input
logic functions, although 2 input maps are rarely required, as it is often just
as easy to get the Boolean expression from the truth table.
However, what if we are not given the truth table but just a Boolean
expression to simplify ?
Well we could draw the truth table and fill it in from the Boolean expression
and then complete the Karnaugh map. This would be a long process and it
would be better if we could move directly from the Boolean expression to the
Karnaugh map.
This is not as difficult as it might sound as long as we remember some simple
rules.
For a 2 input function,
i.
any term that contains 2 variables = 1 one cell in the Karnaugh map.
ii.
any term that contains 1 variable = 2 cells in the Karnaugh map.
For a 3 input function,
i.
any term that contains 3 variables = 1 cell in the Karnaugh map.
ii.
any term that contains 2 variables = 2 cells in the Karnaugh map.
iii. any term that contains 1 variable = 4 cells in the Karnaugh map.
For a 4 input function,
i.
any term that contains 4 variables = 1 cell in the Karnaugh map.
ii.
any term that contains 3 variables = 2 cells in the Karnaugh map.
iii. any term that contains 2 variables = 4 cells in the Karnaugh map.
iv.
any term that contains 1 variable = 8 cells in the Karnaugh map.

Lets have a look at a couple of examples.

24

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Example 1 : Simplify the following Boolean Expression
A.B.C.D B.C.D B.C.D A.B.C.D A.B.D B.C.D

To solve this you need to start with a blank Karnaugh map, take each term
individually and put a 1 in the cell of the Karnaugh map that corresponds to
the logic expression.
Step 1 :

A.B.C.D

(4 variables = 1 cell in map)

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01
11
10
Step 2 :

B.C.D

(3 variables = 2 cells in map)

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01
11
10

25

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Step 3 :

B.C.D

(3 variables = 2 cells in map)

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11
10
Step 4 :

A.B.C.D

(4 variables = 1 cell in map)

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11
10
Step 5 :

A.B.D

(3 variables = 2 cells in map)

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Notice that this was already filled in.

26

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Step 6 :

B.C.D

(3 variables = 2 cells in map)

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Step 7 : Finally having completed all the Logic 1s, the rest of the map can be
filled in with 0s, to leave the completed map.
BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Step 8 : Form the largest groups of 1s to include every 1 at least once.

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

C.D B.C A.C A.B.C

27

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Example 2 : Simplify the following Boolean Expression.
( A C) A.B.C A.C.D A.C

In this example we have one of the inverted functions, in this case a NOR
function. These are difficult to put directly into a Karnaugh map because we
have to think of the inverse function. It is easier to use DeMorgans theorem
to change the expression slightly before completing the Karnaugh map.
Step 1 : Remove the inverted function from the original expression.
( A C) A.B.C A.C.D A.C
( A.C) A.B.C A.C.D A.C
A.C A.B.C A.C.D A.C

Now proceed to complete the Karnaugh map as before.

Step 2 :

A.C

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01
11
10

28

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Step 3 : A.B.C
BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10
Step 4 :

A.C.D

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Step 5 : A.C
BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

29

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Step 6 : Complete the Karnaugh map by adding 0s to the map.
BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Step 7 : Group the 1s into as large a group as possible and write down a
Boolean expression for each group.
BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Simplest Boolean Expression =

A.C A.C A.D

As is usually the case with these questions, seeing examples that have been
completed for you is o.k. but the real understanding comes from trying some
yourself, so here are some for you to try.
Only 1 Karnaugh map has been provided for each example, because you can
complete this step by step as you consider each term in the Boolean equation,
there is no need to complete multiple Karnaugh maps as has been shown here
for illustration purposes.

30

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Exercise 6 : Simplify the following Boolean Expressions.
1.

A.B.C A.B.C A.B B.C

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression = ............................................................

2.

A.B.C A.B.C A.B A.C

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression = ............................................................

3.

A.B.C A.B.C A.B.C

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression = ............................................................

31

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
4.

A.B.D A.B.C.D A.B.C B.C.D A.B.C.D

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00
01
11
10

Simplest Boolean expression = ............................................................

A.B.C.D A.B.D A.B A.B.C.D
5.
function}

{Remember to split the NAND

.............................................................................................................
BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00
01
11
10

Simplest Boolean expression = ............................................................

You have now completed this section of the course, and are armed with
enough knowledge to answer any examination questions on this topic.
The next section gives the solutions to all of the exercises in this topic and
this is followed by some examination style questions for you to practice.

32

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Solutions to Student Exercises
Exercise 1:
1.

AND gate:
A
B

2.

NOR gate:
Inputs
B
0
0
1
1

3.

A
0
1
0
1

Output
A
Q
B
1
0
0
0
1
0

ExOR gate
A
B

33

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
4.

NAND gate
A
B

5.

ExNOR gate
A
B

Exercise 2:
A
B

Simplest Boolean expression =

A B

Check via Boolean gives

A.B A.B A.B
A.B B.( A A )
A.B B
A B

34

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Exercise 3.

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

Inputs
B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression =

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

A B.C

Example 2 : (Page 18)

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Boolean expression is :

B.C A.B.C A.C

35

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
Exercise 4:
1.

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

Inputs
B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression =

Output
Q
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
A.B A.C A.B.C

BA
C

or

00 01 11 10
0

A.(B C) A.B.C

2.
Inputs

36

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C
0
0

C
B
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
Inputs
1
1
B
0
0

A
0
1

Output
A
Q
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
Output
1
1
Q
0
1

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Simplest Boolean Expression

A.C A.B

3.

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

BA

C
0
0
1
1
1
1

1
1
0
0
1
1

0
1
0
1
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression =

1
1
0
1
0
1

00 01 11 10
0

A B.C

4.
Inputs

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

B.C C.D A.B.C.D

B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
or

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0

C.(B D) A.B.C.D

Simplest Boolean Expression

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

37

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
5.
Inputs
B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

Output
Q
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Simplest Boolean expression =

A.C A.C

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

or A C

6.
Inputs

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

Exercise 6 :
1.
38

A.B.C A.B.C A.B B.C

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Simplest Boolean Expression

C.D A.C A.C.D

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

Simplest Boolean expression =

2.

B A.C

A.B.C A.B.C A.B A.C

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

Simplest Boolean expression =

3.

C A.B

A.B.C A.B.C A.B.C

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

Simplest Boolean expression =

A.B B.C

or

B.( A C)

39

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
4.

A.B.D A.B.C.D A.B.C B.C.D A.B.C.D

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Simplest Boolean expression =

A.D B.D

A.B.C.D A.B.D A.B A.B.C.D

5.
function}

{Remember to split the NAND

A.B.C.D A.B.D A B A.B.C.D

A.B.C.D A.B.D A B A.B.C.D

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Simplest Boolean expression =

A BD

The next section contains some past examination style questions for you to
practice.

40

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Examination Style Questions.
1.

Use the laws of Boolean algebra or Karnaugh maps to simplify the following expressions.
(i)

Q A.B.C A.B.C A.C

.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................

BA
C

00 01 11 10

.....................................................................................

.....................................................................................

.....................................................................................
[2]
Q = .............................................................................
(ii)

Q A.B.C.D A.B.C.D B.C.D B.C.D

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00
01
11
10

.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
[3]
Q = .............................................................................
2.

Simplify the following expressions.

41

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
(i)

Q A.B B

.....................................................................................

A
B

.....................................................................................

.....................................................................................

.....................................................................................
[2]
Q = .............................................................................

42

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

(ii)

Q A B.C A.B.C

.............................
.....................................................
...

BA
C

BA
00 01 11 10

00 01 11 10

.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
[2]
Q = .............................................................................
3.
Use Karnaugh maps to simplify the following expressions as far as
possible.
(i)

A
B

0
1

Q A.B A

.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
[2]
Q = .............................................................................
(ii)

BA
C

00 01 11 10

Q A.B A.B.C A.B.C A.B.C

.....................................................................................

.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
[3]
Q = .............................................................................

43

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
4.

In designing a logic system, a student has produced the Karnaugh map shown below.

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Give the simplest Boolean expression for the output Q of this logic system.
Show any groups that you create in producing this expression on the Karnaugh map.
[5]
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
5.

a)

Complete the Karnaugh map for the following expression:

Q D.C.B.A C.B.A D.C.B.A C.B.A D.C.B.A

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00
01
11
10
[2]

b)

Give the simplest Boolean expression for the output Q of this logic system. Show and label
any groups that you create in producing this expression on the map.
Q = .........................................................................................................................................
[4]

44

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

6.

Either using the laws of Boolean algebra or a Karnaugh maps simplify the following expression as
much as possible.
Q A.B.D B.C.D B.C.D B.C.D B.C.D

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00
01
11
10

.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
[5]
Q = .............................................................................

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0

7.
Use the laws of Boolean algebra or Karnaugh maps to
simplify the following expressions.
(i)

Q A.B B.C B.C A.B.C

.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
[3]
Q = .............................................................................
45

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.

46

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

8.

Use the laws of Boolean algebra or Karnaugh maps to simplify the following expressions.
(i)

Q A.B.C A.B A.B A.B.C

.....................................................................................

BA

.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................

00 01 11 10
0

.....................................................................................

.....................................................................................
[2]
Q = .............................................................................
(ii)

Q D.C.B.A D.C.A D.B.A D.C.A D.B.A

.....................................................................................

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00
01
11
10

.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
[4]
Q = .............................................................................
9.

Use the laws of Boolean algebra or Karnaugh maps to simplify the following expressions.
(i)

Q C.A C.B C.B.A C.B.A

.....................................................................................

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0
1

47

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
[3]
Q = .............................................................................

BA
C

00 01 11 10
0
1

48

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

10.

A Karnaugh map is shown below.

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00

01

11

10

Give the simplest Boolean expression for the output Q of this logic system.
Show on the Karnaugh map any groups that you have created in producing this expression.
[5]
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................

11.

The following truth table defines the logic conditions for a particular application.

Inputs
D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

B
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

A
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

Output
Q
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
49

Module ET1
Introduction to Analogue and Digital Systems.
(a)

Write down without simplification the Boolean expression for the output Q, in terms of
the inputs A, B, C and D.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b)

Complete the Karnaugh map below for the same logic function using either the truth table
or your logic expression from (a)

BA
DC

00 01 11 10
00
01
11
10
[2]

(c)

Hence derive the simplest Boolean expression for the logic function.
.................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(d)

In the space below draw the logic circuit diagram to show how the output Q, could be
obtained from inputs A, B, C and D, using AND, OR, and NOT gates only.
[4]

B
Q
C

D
50

Topic 1.2.3 Karnaugh maps

Self Evaluation Review
My personal review of these objectives:

Learning Objectives

Draw a Karnaugh map for a logic

system with up to four inputs and
use it to minimise the number of
gates required;
Targets:

1.

2.

51