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Each cell represents a minterm (a combination of variables). The arrangement is special:
adjacent cells differ by only one variable (similar to Grey Code). This adjacency allows
grouping.
Example: Four Variables
Let’s take an example with four variables: A, B, C, D.
Suppose we have a Boolean function F(A, B, C, D) defined by minterms: F = Σ(0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 14)
This means the function is true for these minterm numbers.
Step 1: Draw the K-map
For four variables, we draw a 4×4 grid.
• Rows represent combinations of A and B.
• Columns represent combinations of C and D.
The arrangement is in Grey Code order: Rows: 00, 01, 11, 10 Columns: 00, 01, 11, 10
Step 2: Fill the K-map
Place 1s in the cells corresponding to minterms (0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14). All other cells
get 0s.
Step 3: Group the 1s
Now comes the fun part—grouping.
• Groups must be powers of 2: 1, 2, 4, 8.
• Groups must be rectangular.
• Groups can wrap around edges.
In this example, we can form:
• A group of four covering minterms (0, 1, 2, 5).
• Another group of four covering (6, 7, 10, 14).
• A group of two covering (8, 9).
Step 4: Write Simplified Expression
Each group gives a simplified term:
• Group (0, 1, 2, 5): simplifies to A’C’ (A is 0, C is 0).
• Group (6, 7, 10, 14): simplifies to B D (B=1, D=1).
• Group (8, 9): simplifies to A C’ D’ (A=1, C=0, D=0).