In Boolean expressions, which term denotes a product term representing a particular combination of variable states that yields true?

• A. Minterm
• B. Maxterm
• C. Prime Implicant
• D. Karnaugh Cell

Answer: (A)

A minterm is a product term that represents a specific combination of input variable states that makes the Boolean expression true. Each minterm is formed by ANDing all variables, using the uncomplemented form when the variable is 1 and the complemented form when it is 0. For example, with variables x and y, the minterm for x=1 and y=0 is x AND NOT y; this term is true only for that exact combination. The sum of all such minterms for which the function outputs 1 gives the canonical sum of products. A maxterm, by contrast, is a product term that is false for a particular combination, using a similar idea in OR form. Prime implicants are larger, irreducible product terms identified during minimization, and a Karnaugh cell is a cell in a Karnaugh map representing a minterm or a group of minterms.