Adding Machine

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In this problem a circuit has been set up to mimic a simple adding machine but the logic gates have all been set to AND by mistake.

By clicking on the blue squares you can change the type of logic gates.

There are three switches which you can turn on or off. There are two bulbs: one on the right and one on the left.

Can you find the combination of gate types such that:

• no bulb is on if no switch is on,
• the left-hand bulb is on and the right-hand bulb is off when exactly one switch is on
• the right-hand bulb is on and the left-hand bulb is off when exactly two switches are on
• and both bulbs are on if all three switches are on.

What do you think that this circuit represents?

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You can read more about the mathematical aspects of logic and circuits in our article .