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Difference between Half adder and full adder

Introduction

In a digital logic circuit, an adder is used to add integers together. It makes use of the OR operator. Adder is also used to calculate addresses and perform a variety of other tasks. They are classified into two types: half adder and full adder, and may be formed for a variety of numerical representations. An encoder, decoder, multiplexer, and various combinational circuits are among the others.

What is Half Adder?

One EX-OR gate and one AND gate are connected to form a half adder, which is a combinational logic circuit. It combines two one-bit values together and outputs the total. It has two input terminals and two output terminals, one of which is labelled SUM and the other is labelled CARRY.


The total of the two integers is acquired by the EX-OR gate, while the carry is produced by the AND gate. However, since there is no logic gate to handle the carry received in one addition, it will not be transmitted in the other addition. As a result, this circuit is known as a Half Adder.


Both of the gates' output equations may be expressed as a logical operation performed by the logic gates. The sum equation will be expressed as an EX-OR operation, and the carry equation will be stated as an AND operation.

Half Adder Truth Table

Input Output
A B Sum (A ? B) Carry (A ? B)
0 0 0 0
0 1 1 0
1 0 1 0
1 1 0 1

What is Full Adder?

A full adder is a circuit that consists of two EX-OR gates, two AND gates, and one OR gate. It adds three binary digits, two of which are inputs and one of which is the carry from the preceding addition.


A complete adder, like a half adder, is a combinational logic circuit that lacks a storage element. However, it adds the prior carry and creates the whole result thanks to extra logic gates. As a result, it's known as a complete adder.

Two half adders and one OR gate may also be used to make a complete adder. The second Half Adder will create the total of the digits, while the OR gate will generate the carry received after adding.


The sum of the binary digits is the equation of the output given by the EX-OR gate. While the carry acquired by addition is the output of the AND gate. The equation may be expressed as a logical operation.

Full Adder Truth Table

Inputs Outputs
A B Cin Cout (Carry) S (Sum)
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0 1
0 1 0 0 1
0 1 1 1 0
1 0 0 0 1
1 0 1 1 0
1 1 0 1 0
1 1 1 1 1

Key Difference between Half adder and full adder

Half Adder Full Adder
  • It's used to add two bits together.
  • It's used to add three bits together.
  • There are two Ex-OR gates and one AND gate in operation.
  • There is one Ex-OR gate, three AND gates, and one OR gate.
  • The sum of two signals is the output.
  • The total of three signals is the output.
  • The half adder circuit is straightforward.
  • It's difficult to build a whole adder circuit.
  • Two input and output terminals are available.
  • Three input terminals and two output terminals are available.
  • It's not possible to utilise it as a complete adder.
  • It functions as a half-adder.
  • Calculators, computers, digital measurement equipment, and other similar gadgets are examples.
  • Multiple bit addition, digital processors, and so forth are examples.

Related Questions

1. What is the major difference between a Half adder and a full adder?

A Half Adder consists of only one AND gate and EX-OR gate whereas, A Full Adder consists of one OR gate and two EX-OR and AND gates.

2. What is the difference between the half adder and half subtractor?

Half Adder is a combinational logic circuit that adds two 1-bit digits. The half adder produces a sum of the two inputs. A half subtractor is a combinational logic circuit that performs an addition operation on three one-bit binary numbers.

3. What is the difference between the half adder and full subtractor?

A half adder circuit is designed using only one AND gate, NOT gate, and XOR gate. A full subtractor circuit is designed using two XOR gates, two NOT gates, two AND gates, and one OR gate.

4. What is the use of a full adder?

In order to generate memory addresses inside a computer and to make the Program Counterpoint to the next instruction, the ALU makes use of Full Adders. Full-Adders are a part of the Graphics Processing Unit for graphics-related applications.



About the author:
Adarsh Kumar Singh is a technology writer with a passion for coding and programming. With years of experience in the technical field, he has established a reputation as a knowledgeable and insightful writer on a range of technical topics.