# Gate Input Cost
**The number of inputs to basic logic gates in an implementation.**
*Gate input cost*, GIC, is typically *only* considered in circuits with basic [[Boolean Algebra#Logical operations|logic gates]]; AND, OR, and NOT gates.
It can be found graphically from a logic diagram or numerically using [[Boolean Function#Sum-of-products or product-of-sums form|sum-of-products or product-of-sums equations]].
In a sum-of-products or product-of-sums equation, the GIC is the sum of
- *Every* [[Boolean Function#^2dba35|literal]] appearance
- The number of *distinct* complemented literals
- The number of *non-literal* [[Boolean Function#^5aa5f5|terms]]
> [!Example]
$F=AB+\bar{C}(D+E)$
>
There are clearly $5$ literals; one of the literals are *complemented*, and the three *non-literal* terms are $AB$, $D+E$, and $\bar{C}(D+E)$.
>
Thus, the gate input cost is $9$.
>
![[GateInputCostCircuit.svg|500]]
## GIC of other gates
### NAND and NOR
The *equivalent* GIC of [[Universal Gate|NAND and NOR]] gates is $3$.
![[NANDNOREquivalentGIC.svg]]
### XOR and XNOR
The *equivalent* GIC of [[Exclusive Disjunction|XOR]] and [[Material Biconditional|XNOR]] gates is $7$.
![[XORXNOREquivalentGIC.svg]]