Final answer:
Both 4 x 4 and 3 x 3 Karnaugh maps start numbering from 0, following a Gray code sequence to facilitate the simplification of boolean functions. The correct answer is option 3.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference in numbering between 4 x 4 K-Maps and 3 x 3 K-Maps is in the way binary numbers are assigned to their cells, which is crucial for minimizing boolean functions. Both 4 x 4 K-Maps and 3 x 3 K-Maps start numbering from 0, not from 1. Therefore, the correct answer is option 3) The numbering starts from 0 in both 4 x 4 K-Maps and 3 x 3 K-Maps.
The numbering in Karnaugh maps (K-Maps) follows a Gray code sequence, where each subsequent number differs from the preceding one by only a single bit. This helps in grouping adjacent terms which only differ by one variable, thus aiding in simplification. A 4 x 4 K-Map caters to a function with four variables, while a 3 x 3 K-Map, which isn't typically used because K-Maps are usually in powers of 2, would theoretically cater to a three-variable function. In practice, K-Maps are generally 2x2, 4x4, or 8x8 corresponding to 2, 4, or 5 variables respectively.