What gate is simply an AND gate with an inverter (NOT gate) at the output?

A NAND gate is defined as an AND gate followed by a NOT gate. This configuration inverts the output of the AND gate, effectively producing a logic output that is true unless both inputs are true.

In more technical terms, the truth table for an AND gate produces a high output (1) only when both inputs are high (1). By adding an inverter at the output, the NAND gate yields a low output (0) only when both inputs are high, making all other combinations of inputs result in a high output. This forms essential logic operations in digital electronics and is widely used in various applications, including combinational logic circuits and memory devices, due to its ability to create any logical function through its universal characteristics.

Understanding this relationship helps in grasping fundamental concepts of digital logic design, as it shows how basic gates can be combined to create more complex functions.