This document discusses various methods for minimizing switching functions, including:
1. The Karnaugh map method, which graphically represents truth tables to find logically adjacent terms that can be combined.
2. Prime implicants, which are product terms obtained by maximally combining adjacent squares on a K-map. Essential prime implicants must be included in the minimal expression.
3. Don't care conditions, which allow for unspecified minterms that provide further simplification opportunities on the K-map.
4. The Quine-McCluskey tabular method, which systematically generates prime implicants and uses a cover table to find the essential prime implicants and minimal cover.