What is the minimum number of 2-input NOR gates required to implement a 4-variable function function expressed in sum-of-minterms form as

f = Σ(0, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15)?

Assume that all the inputs and their complements are available.

Consider the minterm list form of a Boolean function 𝐹 given below. $$F\left( {P,Q,R,S} \right) = $$ $$\sum {m\left( {0,2,5,7,9,11} \right)} $$ $$ + \,\,d\left( {3,8,10,12,14} \right)$$

Here, $$m$$ denotes a minterm and $$d$$ denotes a don’t care term. The number of essential prime implicants of the function $$F$$ is ___________.

What is the minimal form of the Karnaugh map shown below? Assume that $$X$$ denotes a don’t care term.

Consider a multiplexer with $$X$$ and $$Y$$ as data inputs and $$Z$$ as control input. If $$z=0$$ select input $$x,$$ and $$z=1$$ selects input $$Y$$. what are the connections required to realize the $$2-$$variable Boolean function $$f=T+R$$ without using any additional Hardware?