Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-logic-and-set-theory-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2009/a/3/b/solution

There are sixteen binary Boolean functions, one for each four-bit truth table. Exactly eight give an adequate basis together with negation.
The eight affine functions are . Each is affine over the field with two elements, and composition with other affine functions or negation remains affine. Since conjunction is not affine, none of these eight bases is adequate.
Each remaining truth table has either one true row or three true rows. In the latter case negate its output to obtain a function with one true row. Negate selected inputs to move that row to : the resulting function is conjunction. Conjunction together with negation expresses every disjunctive normal form, proving adequacy of all remaining eight. They are AND, NAND, OR, NOR, the two directed implications, and the two asymmetric conjunctions , . The count treats the binary connective by its truth function rather than by arbitrary choices of its printed symbol.

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