For a 1-to-8 demultiplexer, exactly 3 select lines are required.
This standard digital logic design principle ensures the single input routes to one of eight outputs.

Why 3 Lines?

A demultiplexer (demux) takes one data input and directs it to 2^n outputs using n select lines, where each combination activates a unique output.
For 8 outputs, solve 2n=82^n=82n=8, so n=log⁡2(8)=3n=\log_2(8)=3n=log2​(8)=3.
Thus, select lines S2, S1, S0 create 000 to 111 binary codes, like S2=0, S1=0, S0=0 activating output Y0.

Truth Table Basics

Here's how it works in action:

S2S1S0Active Output
000Y0 = Input
001Y1 = Input
010Y2 = Input
011Y3 = Input
100Y4 = Input
101Y5 = Input
110Y6 = Input
111Y7 = Input
[7][1]

Real-World Example

Imagine memory addressing: 3 select lines pick one of 8 RAM chips, routing data efficiently—like in older systems or FPGA designs today.

TL;DR: 3 select lines power a 1-to-8 demux.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.