Concept:
Boolean expressions can often be simplified to reduce the number of logic gates required in a digital circuit.
One of the most popular graphical methods for simplification is the Karnaugh Map (K-map).
A K-map helps identify common groups of minterms and allows direct simplification without lengthy algebraic manipulations.
Step 1: Understand the purpose of simplification.
The objective of Boolean simplification is to:
• Reduce hardware cost.
• Reduce the number of logic gates.
• Improve circuit efficiency.
Step 2: Recall Karnaugh Maps.
A Karnaugh Map is a graphical arrangement of truth table values.
Adjacent cells differ in only one variable.
Groups of:
\[
1,2,4,8,\ldots
\]
cells are combined to obtain simplified Boolean expressions.
Step 3: Compare the given options.
PERT charts are used in project management.
Pie charts are used in statistics.
Heat maps are used in data visualization.
Only K-maps are specifically designed for Boolean simplification.
\[
\boxed{\text{Karnaugh Map (K-map)}}
\]
Hence option (C) is correct.