What symbol represents an inverter when used alone?

An inverter is represented by a specific symbol that typically consists of a triangle pointing to the right, with a small circle at the point of the triangle. This symbol is universally recognized in digital logic design and indicates the operation of negation or inversion. When a signal passes through an inverter, it outputs the opposite value – for instance, an input of '1' will output '0', and vice versa.

Understanding the function of an inverter is crucial because it is a fundamental building block in digital circuits. The inverter is used to implement NOT operations in logic circuits, making it essential for creating various logical expressions and conditions. Hence, when identifying symbols in logic circuit diagrams, recognizing the distinct symbol for an inverter is key for accurate representation and understanding of circuit functionality.