Algebraic normal form

In Boolean algebra, the algebraic normal form (ANF), ring sum normal form (RSNF or RNF), Zhegalkin normal form, or Reed–Muller expansion is a way of writing propositional logic formulas in one of three subforms:

  • The entire formula is purely true or false:
  • One or more variables are combined into a term by AND (), then one or more terms are combined by XOR () together into ANF. Negations are not permitted:
  • The previous subform with a purely true term:

Formulas written in ANF are also known as Zhegalkin polynomials and Positive Polarity (or Parity) Reed–Muller expressions (PPRM).[1]

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