the boolean algebra is a simple equation for a set logic...
Q is the resultant of the equation, and is either true or false depending on the conditions of the equation...
the reaon I asked if it made any sense is because the set of matmatical signs have a completly different meaning...
+ means OR
* means AND
! means NOT
so if I say Q = A,
if A is true then Q is true.
if the equation is Q = A+B
the Q will be true if either A is true or B is true or if both A and B are true
the ! means not...
so if Q = !A
Q will only be true if condition A is false...
so if Q = !A+!B Q is only true if condition A and condition B are both false...
as I said, * means AND...
so if q = A*B Q is only true if A and B conditions are both met...
if I said Q = !(A*B) then Q is only true if neither condition A or condition B are false..
HoLd on a minute that means that means that
Q = !A+!B = !(A*B)...
boolean algebra is all about taking complicated logical expressions an simplifying them according to simple sets of rules...
for instance...
Q = (A*B) + (A*!B) can be simplified to Q = A
this is mightly useful in electronics when you are looking at true and false to mean voltages...
but it's also quite useful in programming of computers when you might be loking at a statement like
IF ((checkbox1.checked == TRUE AND checkbox2.checked == TRUE)OR(checkbox1.checked==TRUE AND checkbox2.checked=FALSE)) THEN...
can easily be simplified to IF(checkbox1.checked == TRUE) THEN...