Boolean Operators Are You Connected? Presented by: (Insert Your Name Here)

What Are Boolean Operators?  Boolean operators are also known as Boolean connectors. They form the basis of mathematical sets and database logic.  Venn diagrams are graphical forms of Boolean operators.  Search engines use Boolean connectors to broaden, refine, or narrow search results.

Who Was George Boole?  George Boole (1815 – 1864) was a self-taught mathematician. His work with mathematical logic, algebra, and the binary code numbering system of 0 and 1, had a unique influence upon the development of computers.  Boolean operators or connectors are named after Mr. Boole and his work in mathematics.

Boolean Operators Include: Boolean operators include the keyword search connectors: AND, OR, NOT.  AND  OR  NOT

AND, OR, NOT  AND is a connector that requires both words to be present in each record in the results. Use AND to narrow and refine your search.  OR is a connector that allows either word to be present in each record in the results. Use OR to broaden or expand your search.  NOT is used to limit searches by eliminating terms from a search. Using this search restricts a search to increase precision. Use NOT to narrow and restrict your search.

AND OR NOT Venn Diagram Examples

Narrowing The Search  A search for television = 297,000,000 results.  A search for violence = 15,700,000 results.  A search for television AND violence = 490,000  A search for television NOT violence = 1,040,000  A search for violence NOT television = 1,240,000  A search for violence OR television = 415,000,000

Graphics Courtesy of University Of Canterbury Christchurch, New Zealand

Boolean Connectors Help You...  Boolean operators can be used separately or combined together. When used together they are called, “nesting.”  Eliminate unwanted web page results.  Search and find the results you would expect.  Stay connected.