Minterm & Maxterm
Minterms:
 If the variable value is “0”, take
complement form of the variable.
 If the variable value is “1”, take
true form of the variable.
 Use “ ” operator between the
variables.
x  y  xy
 Generally Minterms are used for
function which gives logical high
output i.e “1”
Maxterms:
 If the variable value is “0”, take
true form of the variable.
 If the variable value is “1”, take
complement form of the variable.
 Use “+”operator between the
variables.
x y
 Generally Maxterms are used for
function which gives logical low
output i.e “0”
Minterms and Maxterms
Find out Minterms and Maxterms for
the functions shown in the Table

Minterms:

Sum of Product (SOP)

Maxterms:

Product of Sum (POS)

 Canonical form
Boolean functions expressed as a sum of minterms or
product of maxterms are said to be in canonical form

Example:

 f 1( x, y, z )   m(1, 4,7)

(or)

 f 1( x, y, z )   M (0, 2,3,5,6)