Understanding Current Sense in Circuits: The Reversal Dilemma

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The discussion centers on the confusion regarding the direction of current flow in a circuit problem involving an 11Ω resistor with a current ib of -2A. The solutions manual reverses the current direction to left to right and uses a value of 2A, leading to questions about the necessity of this reversal. It is clarified that the negative sign indicates the current flows in the reverse direction, meaning it can indeed be solved from either direction. The key takeaway is to adhere to the sign convention when analyzing current flow. Understanding these principles allows for flexibility in solving circuit problems.
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Hi. It's me again with another confusing circuit problem. The first attached image below shows ib going from right to left through the 11Ω resistor and ib is given -2A. In the solutions manual of the book, it has reversed the direction of the current as in going from left to right and taken the value 2A.
My questions is, why has the solutions manual reversed the direction and not just solved it from left to right and taking the current -2A? Could it be solved it both ways?
 

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The current always flows from +ve terminal to -ve. The negetive sign just indicates that current is positive in the reverse direction (in other words it is flowing in the reverse direction). Since ib is given as -2A it is saying that the current is 2A in the reverse direction (which is indicated in the solution manual). It could be solved in both ways. Just keep in mind the sign convention.
Regards
 
Aha. Thanks for the answer.
 

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