In digital electronics, an exclusive-OR (XOR) gate produces a HIGH output when its inputs are different and a LOW output when its inputs are the same. Evaluate the statement: "An exclusive-OR gate's output is HIGH when its inputs are equal."

Introduction / Context:
The exclusive-OR, commonly abbreviated as XOR, is a fundamental combinational logic function used in parity generation, adders, and data comparison. Understanding precisely when XOR outputs a HIGH (1) versus a LOW (0) is essential for circuit design, troubleshooting, and test writing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Two-input XOR gate is considered (extension to more inputs follows the same odd-parity idea).
• Inputs are binary levels: 0 (LOW) and 1 (HIGH).
• The claim under evaluation says “XOR output is HIGH when inputs are equal.”

Concept / Approach:
By definition, XOR outputs 1 if and only if the number of HIGH inputs is odd; for a two-input XOR, this happens when exactly one input is HIGH and the other is LOW. Therefore, when the inputs are equal (both 0 or both 1), the XOR output is 0. The related function XNOR (exclusive-NOR) outputs 1 when inputs are equal and 0 when they differ, which is the logical complement of XOR.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) List two-input combinations: 00, 01, 10, 11.2) XOR rule: output = 1 when inputs differ, 0 when equal.3) Evaluate: XOR(0,0)=0; XOR(0,1)=1; XOR(1,0)=1; XOR(1,1)=0.4) Observe that equal pairs (00 and 11) give 0, not 1.

Verification / Alternative check:
Truth tables in any digital logic text confirm the above mapping. Hardware realizations using sums-of-products or via gates (e.g., (A AND NOT B) OR (NOT A AND B)) also show the output is 1 for unequal inputs only.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Correct” contradicts XOR definition. “HIGH only when both inputs are 1” describes AND, not XOR. “HIGH only when both inputs are 0” describes NOR for two inputs (with inversion nuances), not XOR.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing XOR with XNOR; assuming “exclusive” means “both or none.” Also, mixing up XOR with simple OR, which is 1 when any input is 1 (including 11).

Final Answer:
Incorrect