Cubes: Novel Graphical Method for Boolean Functions Simplification

This article introduces a new method called "Cubes" to graphically simplify Boolean algebra expressions and it is exploited from the well-known Karnaugh maps (K-maps) method. This method can be used to simplify Boolean algebra expressions with 3, 4, 5, and 6 variables using three-dimensional cubes. It can be used by educators in electrical and computer engineering programs or related curriculums. What gives this method its uniqueness is that it can improve students’ engagement by making them use more than one sense to simplify the Boolean algebra expressions. In this article, different Boolean logic function examples with many scenarios will be discussed to cover many grouping cases. For each function scenario the Cubes method will be applied to get the most simplified form of the assumed Boolean function and the answer will be verified by one of the current simplification methods (K-maps, basic theorems, and properties of Boolean algebra or the truth table). This work gives some ideas about how to conduct the Cubes method by using physical cubes in the classrooms by educators in different engineering and engineering technology programs courses.