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Logic Gates

Exam code: 2210
Written by: Ashika|Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll|Updated 2 July 2026

Logic gates

Logic gates

What is Boolean logic?

  • Boolean logic is used in computer science and electronics to make logical decisions

  • Boolean operators are either TRUE or FALSE, often represented as 1 or 0

  • Inputs and outputs are given letters to represent them

  • To define Boolean logic we use special symbols to make writing expressions much easier 

What are logic gates?

  • Logic gates are a visual way of representing a Boolean expression

  • The logic gates covered in this course are:

    • AND

    • OR

    • NOT

    • XOR

    • NAND

    • NOR

AND

Expression operator

Circuit symbol

Explanation

(A AND B)

and-gate

Returns TRUE only if both inputs are TRUE 

TRUE AND TRUE = TRUE

Otherwise = FALSE

OR

Expression operator

Circuit symbol

Explanation

(A OR B)

or-gate

Returns TRUE if either input is TRUE 

TRUE OR FALSE = TRUE 

FALSE OR FALSE = FALSE

NOT

Expression operator

Circuit symbol

Explanation

(NOT A)

not-gate

Reverses the input value

NOT TRUE = FALSE

NOT FALSE = TRUE

XOR (exclusive OR)

Expression operator

Circuit symbol

Explanation

(A XOR B)

xor

Returns TRUE if either input is TRUE but NOT both

TRUE OR FALSE = TRUE 

FALSE OR FALSE = FALSE

TRUE OR TRUE = FALSE

NAND (not and)

Expression operator

Circuit symbol

Explanation

(A NAND B)

screenshot-2023-05-30-at-08-25-01

Returns TRUE if either or both inputs are FALSE

TRUE OR FALSE = TRUE

FALSE OR FALSE = TRUE

TRUE OR TRUE = FALSE

NOR (not OR)

Expression operator

Circuit symbol

Explanation

(A NOR B)

screenshot-2023-05-30-at-08-25-22

Returns TRUE if both inputs are FALSE

TRUE OR FALSE = FALSE

FALSE OR FALSE = TRUE

TRUE OR TRUE = FALSE