Logic Expressions (CIE IGCSE Computer Science)

Revision Note

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Becci Peters

Expertise

Computer Science

Logic Expressions

  • A logic expression is a way of expressing a logic gate or logic circuit as an equation
  • The output appears on the left of the equals sign with the inputs and logic gates on the right


Gate


Symbol


Truth Table


Logic Expression

NOT

not

A

Z

0

1

1

0

Z=NOT A

AND

and

A

B

Z

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

1

1

1

Z=A AND B

OR

or

A

B

Z

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

1

Z=A OR B

NAND

nand

A

B

Z

0

0

1

0

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

0

Z=A NAND B

NOR

nor

A

B

Z

0

0

1

0

1

0

1

0

0

1

1

0

Z=A NOR B

XOR

xor

A

B

Z

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

0

Z=A XOR B

  • Logic circuits containing multiple gates can also be expressed as logic expressions/statements

An example logic circuit containing two inputs

screenshot-2023-05-30-at-09-28-55

  • The logic circuit above can be expressed as the logic expression Q= NOT(A OR B) 

 

An example logic circuit containing two inputs

screenshot-2023-05-30-at-09-29-06

  • The logic circuit above can be expressed as the logic expression Q= (NOT A) AND B 

 

An example logic circuit containing three inputs

screenshot-2023-05-30-at-09-34-40

  • The logic circuit above can be expressed as the logic expression P = ((NOT A) OR B) NAND C

 

An example logic circuit containing three inputs

screenshot-2023-05-30-at-09-35-30

  • This logic circuit above can be expressed as X = NOT (A NAND B) OR (B NOR C)

Exam Tip

  • You may be required to write a logic expression/statement from a truth table or a logic circuit. You may also have to do the opposite - draw a logic circuit and complete a truth table for a logic expression

Worked example

Consider the logic statement: X = (((A AND B) OR (C AND NOT B)) XOR NOT C) 

a. Draw a logic circuit to represent the given logic statement. 

[6]

screenshot-2023-05-30-at-09-37-21

One mark per correct logic gate, with the correct input

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Becci Peters

Author: Becci Peters

Becci has been a passionate Computing teacher for over 9 years, teaching Computing across the UK helping to engage, interest and develop confidence in the subject at all levels. Working as a Head of Department and then as an educational consultant, Becci has advised schools in England, where her role was to support and coach teachers to improve Computing teaching for all. Becci is also a senior examiner for multiple exam boards covering GCSE & A-level. She has worked as a lecturer at a university, lecturing trainee teachers for Computing.