An abstract mathematical system primarily used in Computer science and in expressing the relationships between sets (groups of objects
or concepts). The notational system was developed by the English mathematician
George Boole about 1850 to permit an algebraic manipulation of logical
statements. Such manipulation can demonstrate whether or not a statement is true and
show how a complicated statement can be rephrased in a simpler, more convenient
form without changing its meaning. When used in set theory, Boolean algebra can
demonstrate the relationship between groups, indicating what is in each set
alone, what is jointly contained in both, and what is contained in neither. The
expression of electrical networks in Boolean notation has aided the development of Switching theory and the design of computers.