Difference Between Half Adder and Full Adder

Given Below is the Difference between the Half adder and Full adder

Parameters Half Adder Full Adder
Description Half Adder is a combinational logic circuit that adds two 1-bit digits. The half adder produces a sum of the two inputs.  A full adder is a combinational logic circuit that performs an addition operation on three one-bit binary numbers. The full adder produces a sum of the three inputs and carry value.
Previous carry The previous carry is not used.  The previous carry is used.
Inputs In Half adder, there are two input bits ( A, B).   In full adder, there are three input bits (A, B, C-in). 
Outputs The generated output is of two bits-Sum and Carry from the input of 2 bits.  The generated output is of two bits-Sum and Carry from the input of 3 bits.
Used as A half adder circuit cannot be used in the same way as a full adder circuit.   A full adder circuit can be used in place of a half adder circuit.
Feature It is simple and easy to implement The design of a full adder is not as simple as a half adder.
Logical Expression Logical Expression for half adder is : S=a⊕b ; C=a*b. Logical Expression for Full adder is : S=a⊕b⊕Cin; Cout=(a*b)+(Cin*(a⊕b)).
Logic gates It consists of one EX-OR gate and one AND gate.  It consists of two EX-OR, two AND gates, and one OR gate.
Applications It is used in Calculators, computers, digital measuring devices, etc.  It is used in Multiple bit addition, digital processors, etc.
Alternate name There is no alternate name for half adder. Full adder is also known as ripple-carry adder.

Difference between Half Adder and Full Adder

In this article, we will go through the Difference between the Half adder and Full adder, First, we will briefly describe what is half and full adders with their logical expressions and truth table, and then we will go through their differences between them, At last we will conclude our article with some FAQs.

Table of Content

  • What is Half Adder?
  • What is Full Adder ?
  • Half Adder Vs Full Adder
  • Conclusion
  • FAQs

Similar Reads

What is Half Adder?

Half Adder is a combinational logic circuit that is designed by connecting one EX-OR gate and one AND gate. The half-adder circuit has two inputs: A and B, which add two input digits and generate a carry and a sum....

What is Full Adder ?

Full Adder is the circuit that consists of two EX-OR gates, two AND gates, and one OR gate. Full Adder is the adder that adds three inputs and produces two outputs which consist of two EX-OR gates, two AND gates, and one OR gate. The first two inputs are A and B and the third input is an input carry as C-IN. The output carry is designated as C-OUT and the normal output is designated as S which is SUM....

Difference Between Half Adder and Full Adder

Given Below is the Difference between the Half adder and Full adder...

Conclusion

In this article we have gone through the half adder and full adder in brief with their logical expression and truth, we have also seen difference between them in detail....

Difference between Half Adder and Full Adder – FAQs

Can a full adder be cascaded to add numbers larger than three bits?...

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