What are the key steps to solving this beginner circuit problem?

[yamm14]

Homework Statement

I need to find the unknown values but I don’t know when the series circuit stops and the parallel begins

Relevant Equations

V= IR

I calculated the voltage of the resistors

 

[phinds]

Asking folks for help and then posting the figure sideways to make it hard for them is not a good idea.

Also, if you do not understand the difference between series and parallel circuit parts, and you cannot immediately identify each, then you should stop trying to solve this problem (or any other) and go back and study the basics.

 

[yamm14]

Asking folks for help and then posting the figure sideways to make it hard for them is not a good idea.

Also, if you do not understand the difference between series and parallel circuit parts, and you cannot immediately identify each, then you should stop trying to solve this problem (or any other) and go back and study the basics.

Well, could you just point me in the right direction? I did list this as a beginner problem because I’m still learning the basics.

 

[phinds]

Well, could you just point me in the right direction? I did list this as a beginner problem because I’m still learning the basics.

I DID point you in the right direction. Look, I'm not trying to give you a hard time here but I'm quite serious about what I said. Re-read it.

 

[gneill]

I'm looking at the apparent directions of the currents indicated in your diagram (the arrow heads on the wires). It's disturbing to me that they seem to indicate electron flow rather than the standard "positive charge flow" convention. Surely the current direction of at least $I_1$ should be clear from the polarities of the voltage sources involved. I hope that this is not a "trick" question where you also have to match the sign of your answers to the given assumed current directions. That can be a bummer when you're just starting to learn the material.

Can you show us some of your work so far (not just the results on the image, but tell us how you arrived at the values you've found so far)? I only see one resistor potential drop indicated (3 V for $V_5$). Be sure to sketch in the polarity of any potential drops over components. That will come in very handy when you move forward in the problem.

What can you say about the current through $r_1$?

For your Homework Equations, should you not also include Kirchhoff's Laws?