Solve Branch Rule Problem: Tips and Advice

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a branch rule problem in circuit analysis, specifically focusing on current directions and their implications in a given scenario. Participants are attempting to understand how to apply the branch rule in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning how to assign signs to currents in the problem and whether directional arrows are necessary for clarity. There is also a mention of a lack of similar problems in standard textbooks, prompting discussions on potential variations in current directions.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some have suggested that the maximum current could be calculated under specific assumptions about current directions, while others are considering the implications of changing signs for certain values.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes that the problem is from a practice exam and not found in their current coursework, which may affect their understanding and approach to the problem. There is also mention of multiple choice answers that have not been checked, indicating uncertainty about the correct solution.

FocusedWolf
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How do you do this problem? I've seen other branch problems where you just give + sign for current entering and - leaving and the unknown is going to make it equal 0, but what do you do in this case?

http://focusedwolf.googlepages.com/branch.jpg
 
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FocusedWolf said:
How do you do this problem? I've seen other branch problems where you just give + sign for current entering and - leaving and the unknown is going to make it equal 0, but what do you do in this case?

http://focusedwolf.googlepages.com/branch.jpg
Are there arrows to go with all the numbers? I think you need directions on all of them.
 
no, infact that's a scan of a practice/old exam question...nothing like it in my physics book or homework :smile:
 
FocusedWolf said:
no, infact that's a scan of a practice/old exam question...nothing like it in my physics book or homework :smile:
I did not check the multiple choice answers. I suppose it is possible only one of them is a possible solution using all the different possible current directions. I think the maximum possible current would be with all inward currents (except the ammeter)

I = [10 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 8 - 3] = 28 A

and that is too much (28*60) = 1680

Any of the blue numbers could have the opposite sign. Changing the 4 to -4 gives 1200. I did not try the other possibilies.
 

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