Karnaugh Map (also known as
the Vetch Diagram) reduction was developed as a graphic
method of minimizing Boolean function. The 4-variable Karnaugh
Map reduction shown here applies to any size map.
Example
4-Variable Map Problem
F(w,x,y,z) = (0,1,2,4,5,6,8,9,12,13,14)
= y+w·z+x·z
Minterms must be
boxed in the smallest number of groups which
results in all minterms being enclosed.
Generic
4-Variable Map
Note
that w,x,y,z terms (and their compliments) are
arranged in positions corresponding to the axis
labels. One unique minterm exists in each square.