Are Overly Complicated Homework Problems Beneficial for Student Learning?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the effectiveness of overly complicated homework problems in enhancing student learning, particularly in electrical engineering contexts. A participant successfully calculated the Thevenin resistance as 3.75 ohms but struggled with voltage calculations due to excessive components and currents. Recommendations include breaking down complex circuits into manageable Thevenin equivalents, starting with simpler sections like the two 5-ohm resistors in a 10-Volt configuration. The conversation questions whether increasing problem complexity truly benefits students or merely adds unnecessary difficulty.

PREREQUISITES
  • Thevenin's Theorem
  • Circuit analysis techniques
  • Basic algebra skills
  • Understanding of electrical components (resistors, voltage sources)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Thevenin's Theorem applications in circuit analysis
  • Learn systematic approaches to simplifying complex circuits
  • Practice writing loop equations for circuit analysis
  • Explore the impact of problem complexity on student learning outcomes
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineering students, educators designing curriculum, and anyone interested in the pedagogical effectiveness of homework problem complexity.

ahmadtibi
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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.
 
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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?
 
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