Finding the current on each resistor

[kliker]

Homework Statement

[PLAIN]http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7053/96217079.jpg

given this circuit find the current on R1,R2 and R2

Homework Equations

I = V/R

The Attempt at a Solution

i applied kirchhof's law and I have this:

36 - 5*I - I1*4 = 0
36 - 5*I + 20 - 2*I2 - 14 = 0
20 - 2*I2 - 14 + I1*4 = 0

and i find I1 = 66/19 which is wrong
the book says
I1 = 1.10 A
I2 = 5.21 A
I = 6.32 A

what am i doing wrong?

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi kliker!

(try using the X₂ tag just above the Reply box )

I applied kirchhof's law and I have this:

36 - 5*I - I1*4 = 0
36 - 5*I + 20 - 2*I2 - 14 = 0
20 - 2*I2 - 14 + I1*4 = 0

The circuit only has two independent loops, so you can only get two independent equations from it.

The third Kirchhoff equation you need is for one of the junctions.

 

[kliker]

Hi kliker!

(try using the X₂ tag just above the Reply box )The circuit only has two independent loops, so you can only get two independent equations from it.

The third Kirchhoff equation you need is for one of the junctions.

hi, thanks for the answer

if we say I = I1 + I2 and take the first two equations

then we will have

36 -5*I1 - 5*I2 - 4*I1 = 0
36 - 5*I1 -5*I2 +20 - 2*I2 - 14 = 0

36 - 5*I2 - 9*I1 = 0
36 - 5*I1 - 7*I2 + 6 = 036 - 5*I2 - 9*I1 = 0
42 - 5*I1 - 7*I2 = 0

then by solving the equations I found the desired results

thanks a lot

Ps: what's the x2 tag? I can't find it

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi kliker!

(just got up :zzz: …)

…then by solving the equations I found the desired results

Woohoo! ​

Ps: what's the x2 tag? I can't find it

Press the "QUOTE" button or the "Advanced Reply" button, and you get to the Reply to Thread page, with loads of useful tags to play with, above the box where you enter your text.