Are Overly Complicated Homework Problems Beneficial for Student Learning?

AI Thread Summary
Overly complicated homework problems can hinder student learning by creating confusion and frustration, as seen in the discussion about calculating voltage with multiple components. Participants suggest breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, such as finding Thevenin equivalents step by step. There is skepticism about whether students genuinely benefit from increasingly intricate assignments, with some problems appearing contrived and unnecessarily difficult. The analogy to Jack Welch's demand for increased profits raises questions about educational practices and the pressure on instructors to create more challenging tasks. Simplifying problems may enhance understanding rather than complicating them further.
ahmadtibi
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Thread moved from the technical forums to the schoolwork forums
Hello I'm trying to solve my homework assignment, I have successfully found the thevenin resistance which is equal to 3.75 but I'm stuck on how to even get started to find the voltage because there are too many components.
Screen Shot 2022-11-11 at 19.56.42.png

I have shorted the load resistor which is called RL but there are too many currents for me to calculate I'm not sure how to proceed.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Just write the loop equations and solve them. It's just tedious algebra.

If you want to break it down into smaller parts and deal with each, then start with the two 5ohm/10Volt sections on the left. Combine them into THEIR Thevenin equivalents. Then add the 2ohm and 5.5 ohm and create another Thevenin equivalent. Keep doing that until you have a final Thevenin equivalent.
 
Do students really learn anything more by giving them overly complicated problems? I've seen some problems obviously contrived with ridiculous controlled sources.

Jack Welch was famous for demanding 10% more profits every year from GE. Do we have the case where instructors are challenged to make 10% more complicated homework problems each year?
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes SammyS and ahmadtibi
Thread 'Have I solved this structural engineering equation correctly?'

Thread 'Have I solved this structural engineering equation correctly?'

Hi all, I have a structural engineering book from 1979. I am trying to follow it as best as I can. I have come to a formula that calculates the rotations in radians at the rigid joint that requires an iterative procedure. This equation comes in the form of: $$ x_i = \frac {Q_ih_i + Q_{i+1}h_{i+1}}{4K} + \frac {C}{K}x_{i-1} + \frac {C}{K}x_{i+1} $$ Where: ## Q ## is the horizontal storey shear ## h ## is the storey height ## K = (6G_i + C_i + C_{i+1}) ## ## G = \frac {I_g}{h} ## ## C...
View full post »

Similar threads

Engineering How do I find Vth with the node voltage method?
Replies
10
Views
3K
Engineering Norton/Thevenin Equivalent circuits with a dependent voltage source
Replies
9
Views
5K
Why is the Thevenin resistance in this problem 3.2 kΩ?
Replies
17
Views
2K
Engineering Find the Thevenin equivalent circuit
Replies
42
Views
6K
Engineering How to Calculate Thevenin Equivalent Circuit
Replies
5
Views
2K
Engineering Converting to a circuit's Thevenin equivalent?
Replies
7
Views
2K
Engineering Finding the Thevenin Equivalent Circuit for a Network with a Load Resistor
Replies
1
Views
2K
I finding the Thevenin equivalent resistance
Replies
6
Views
2K
Engineering How Do You Approach Nortons and Thevenins Equivalent Circuits?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Engineering Finding Thevenin Equivalent Voltage for a Circuit with Multiple Voltage Sources
Replies
12
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top