Schaum's Outline of Boolean Algebra and Switching Circuits (Paperback)

by Elliott Mendelson (Author) "There are many ways of operating on propositions to form new propositions..." (more)
Key Phrases: Duality Principle, Solved Problems, Supplementary Problems (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The treatment here of Boolean algebra, deeper than in most elementary texts, can serve as a supplement or an introduction to graduate-level study. The explanations of switching and logic circuits refer to combinatorial circuits. The theory in both of these areas is illustrated and amplified by many problems with detailed solutions, giving students a secure grounding. Supplementary problems provide a complete review of the material.

From the Back Cover
Master Boolean algebra and switching circuits with Schaum's---the high-performance study guide. It will help you cut study time, hone problem-solving skills, and achieve your personal best on exams!

Students love Schaum's Outlines because they produce results. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students improve their test scores and final grades with these indispensable study guides. Get the edge on your classmates. Use Schaum's!

If you don't have a lot of time but want to excel in class, this book helps you:

• Brush up before tests
• Find answers fast
• Study quickly and more effectively
• Get the big picture without spending hours poring over lengthy textbooks

Schaum's Outlines give you the information teachers expect you to know in a handy and succinct format---without overwhelming you with unnecessary details. You get a complete overview of the subject. Plus, you get plenty of practice exercises to test your skill.

Compatible with any classroom text, Schaum's lets you study at your own pace and reminds you of all the important facts you need to remember---fast! And Schaum's are so complete, they're perfect for preparing for graduate or professional exams.

Inside, you will find:

• 150 detailed problems with step-by-step solutions
• Clear, concise explanations of theory and applications
• Complete coverage of the material in Boolean algebra courses
• A solved-problem approach that teaches you with hands-on help
• Exercises for improving your problem-solving skills

If you want top grades and thorough understanding of Boolean algebra and switching circuits, this powerful study tool is the best tutor you can have!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (June 1, 1970)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070414602
• ISBN-13: 978-0070414600
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #558,831 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book on boolean algebra and logic for more advanced students, May 28, 2006

By	calvinnme "Texan refugee" (Fredericksburg, Va) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

This book is devoted to two separate and related topics: the theory of Boolean algebra and logic and also the synthesis and simplification of switching and logic circuits. This is a good book for students taking a course on digital logic that has more of a computer science or mathematics perspective rather than an electrical engineering viewpoint. There is no mention of gates or digital circuit building blocks of any kind in this outline. The treatment of switching and logic circuits is limited to the combinational circuits - those circuits whose outputs depend only on the present inputs.
Chapter 1 goes over the basics of boolean logic and the notation used in this outline. Chapter 2 discusses sets and their operations and extends boolean logic to sets of objects. Chapter 3 discusses Boolean algebra, which is a set B together with two binary operations, a singular operation, the two specific elements 0 and 1, and a set of axioms. Thus, in this chapter we are led more into the realm of mathematics than circuits with a good number of proofs as exercises. Chapter 4 abruptly changes course and discusses switching and logic circuits. Here, previous discussions of Boolean logic lead to the practical tasks of minimization and the finding of all prime implicants of a set. The final chapter changes course once again and discusses some advanced topics in Boolean algebra such as lattices, rings, and m-completeness.
Although no specific previous knowledge is really explicitly required to understand this material, I would say that working through the material I found that experience with mathematical proofs, set theory, and oddly enough, abstract algebra were all very advantageous in understanding this outline. It is one of the better written Schaum's outline in that the theory is very well explained. I would recommend it for the more mathematically inclined who are interested in digital logic.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars digital designers can find useful problems, December 31, 2004

By	W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

For those of you inclined to the theoretical aspects of computing, this book may be good revision. The first half of the book deals with set theory and then with Boolean algebra. The Boolean concepts should be easy to follow, and likewise with the problems presented to you here.

What is more challenging is the second half, dealing with switching circuits. You can see techniques that map from a logic circuit to its Boolean representation. And then the vital idea of a Karnaugh map, in order to simplify that representation. Digital circuit designers live for this stuff! Many problems to chew on. See how well you really understand the material.

You might look with askance on the publication date of 1970. 1970?! Moore had barely formulated his law a few years earlier. And Medium Scale Integration was the order of the day, perhaps, with the first microprocessor still under design. But the maths in this book still holds true now. In fact, it is even more relevant today. Because the circuits are orders of magnitude larger, so finding efficient means of circuit minimisation are more urgent. For that, you need a solid theoretical basis. And this book can test that understanding.

5.0 out of 5 stars A definite career builder for me, April 16, 2008

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This is one of the elements of the Schaum's set that helped make my career. When I was first starting out as a college instructor, I was a math major but had little experience in computer science. In order to quickly flesh out my skills so that I could teach discrete mathematics, I checked this book out of the library and started working the problems. Although my background in abstract algebra helped in my understanding of the theory, my real goal was to learn the applications to digital circuits.
This goal was satisfied, in a short time, I was able to cover digital circuits in the discrete class and a short time later, was able to teach a class in digital logic for computer science majors.