0
$\begingroup$

Is it possible to find $a$ or $b$ given that $a \oplus b = c$ and $c \oplus b = a$ when I only have the value of $b$?

|cite|improve this question
$\endgroup$
  • $\begingroup$ I assume there's a typo in your question -- it's certainly possible to find $a$ or $b$ given the value of $b$! So I guess you want to find $a$ or $c$, or you're given $c$. Which is correct doesn't actually make any difference, though -- see my answer. $\endgroup$ – David Richerby Jan 11 at 11:50
  • $\begingroup$ Also, does "find a or b" mean "find a and/or find b" or "find a$\lor$b"? (The current typesetting makes it look like the former but the original question just said find a or b. I guess the fact that "XOR" is capitalized but "or" isn't suggests that it's not the logical operator.) $\endgroup$ – David Richerby Jan 12 at 14:23
3
$\begingroup$

No. $a\oplus b = c$ and $c\oplus b = a$ are just rearrangements of the same equation, since

$$a\oplus b = c \iff (a\oplus b)\oplus b = c\oplus b\iff a=c\oplus b\,.$$

|cite|improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.