An AND gate is also known as which type of gate?

An AND gate is known as a multiplication gate because it outputs a high signal (1) only when all of its inputs are high (1). This behavior is analogous to the mathematical operation of multiplication, where the product is only non-zero when all factors are non-zero. In binary logic, if you consider the inputs as binary values, the output reflects the combination of these inputs through a multiplication-like operation—yielding a '1' only when all contributing inputs are also '1'.

This association with multiplication stems from the way logical operations can be represented mathematically: for an AND gate with two inputs A and B, the output can be expressed as A AND B, which behaves like A * B in basic arithmetic. Therefore, understanding the AND gate's function through the lens of multiplication clarifies its foundational role in digital logic.

The other types of gates mentioned do not accurately characterize the function of an AND gate. Summation gates relate more to addition operations, comparative gates evaluate relationships between values, and universal gates refer to gates like NAND and NOR that can create any logical function. Thus, the identification of the AND gate specifically as a multiplication gate is both precise and foundational in the study of digital circuits and logic design.