Boolean absorption
AND absorption
When we have a boolean expression in the form A \cdot (A + B), we can simplify it using a rule called absorption.
We know that both A and the thing on the right must be true for the whole expression to be true. But if just A is true, then the right hand side A+B is also true, so we can just ignore it and simplify the expression to just A.
A \cdot (A + B) = A
OR absorption
When we have a boolean expression in the form A + (A \cdot B), we can also simplify it using absorption.
We know that either A or the thing on the right must be true for the whole expression to be true. But if just A is true, then the right hand side A \cdot B is also true, so we can just ignore it and simplify the expression to just A.
A + (A \cdot B) = A
| Question | Answer |
| What is the rule for simplifying A \cdot (A + B)? | A \cdot (A + B) = A |
| What is the rule for simplifying A + (A \cdot B)? | A + (A \cdot B) = A |