Year 10 - Computing
Truth tables
Boolean logic
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will discover that Boolean logic is a way of describing circuits inside a computer. They will recognise logic gates as the building blocks of processors. They will be able to construct logic diagrams, truth tables and simplify Boolean expressions.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to construct a truth table to represent a Boolean expression or circuit.
Key Notes
- A truth table is a way of summarising and checking the logic of a circuit.
- The table shows all possible combinations of inputs and, for each combination, the output the circuit will produce.
Vocabulary To Learn
- truth table: a table showing the outputs for all possible combinations of inputs to a logic gate or logic circuit
- Boolean expression: an expression that evaluates to either True or False
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- A truth table can only have the column headings of single inputs like A, B, or X.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Describe the system or process from this lesson in clear steps.
A truth table is a way of summarising and checking the logic of a circuit. The table shows all possible combinations of inputs and, for each combination, the output the circuit will produce.
2. Define this computing term and give one practical example. 'truth table'
a table showing the outputs for all possible combinations of inputs to a logic gate or logic circuit. Add one real device or system example to prove understanding.
3. Correct this common computing misconception.
Mistake: A truth table can only have the column headings of single inputs like A, B, or X. Correction: A truth table can have column headings that calculate the value of the expression, for example (A OR B).
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 10 Computing guide library.