Circuit Analysis - Quick Question

[ravenprp]

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1827/screenshot01hb8.jpg [Broken]

If I set my reference node to be dead in the middle of the circuit, why can't the node near the + V_o be +13Volts?

 

[berkeman]

It can, no problemo. But that doesn't help you solve for Vo, now does it?

The traditional approach would be to ground the bottom node, but you can "ground" any node you want to, since no explicit ground is shown in the problem. But Vo = Vo+ - Vo- in any case.

 

[ravenprp]

Ok, here's my work... Does this make sense? I used your idea of Vo = (+V_o) + (-V_o) ... no they aren't faces :)

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8606/ashg3.png [Broken]

 

[berkeman]

Very good, but check your last assertion that Vo = V3 + V2. It's really a difference, isn't it?

 

[ravenprp]

My mistake... thanks for pointing that out!