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A First Course in Linear Algebra, 2017a

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38 Systems of Equations<br />

1.2.7 An Application to Resistor Networks<br />

The tools of l<strong>in</strong>ear algebra can be used to study the application of resistor networks. An example of an<br />

electrical circuit is below.<br />

2Ω<br />

18 volts<br />

I 1<br />

2Ω<br />

4Ω<br />

The jagged l<strong>in</strong>es ( ) denote resistors and the numbers next to them give their resistance <strong>in</strong><br />

ohms, written as Ω. The voltage source ( ) causes the current to flow <strong>in</strong> the direction from the shorter<br />

of the two l<strong>in</strong>es toward the longer (as <strong>in</strong>dicated by the arrow). The current for a circuit is labelled I k .<br />

In the above figure, the current I 1 has been labelled with an arrow <strong>in</strong> the counter clockwise direction.<br />

This is an entirely arbitrary decision and we could have chosen to label the current <strong>in</strong> the clockwise<br />

direction. With our choice of direction here, we def<strong>in</strong>e a positive current to flow <strong>in</strong> the counter clockwise<br />

direction and a negative current to flow <strong>in</strong> the clockwise direction.<br />

The goal of this section is to use the values of resistors and voltage sources <strong>in</strong> a circuit to determ<strong>in</strong>e<br />

the current. An essential theorem for this application is Kirchhoff’s law.<br />

Theorem 1.38: Kirchhoff’s Law<br />

The sum of the resistance (R) times the amps (I) <strong>in</strong> the counter clockwise direction around a loop<br />

equals the sum of the voltage sources (V) <strong>in</strong> the same direction around the loop.<br />

Kirchhoff’s law allows us to set up a system of l<strong>in</strong>ear equations and solve for any unknown variables.<br />

When sett<strong>in</strong>g up this system, it is important to trace the circuit <strong>in</strong> the counter clockwise direction. If a<br />

resistor or voltage source is crossed aga<strong>in</strong>st this direction, the related term must be given a negative sign.<br />

We will explore this <strong>in</strong> the next example where we determ<strong>in</strong>e the value of the current <strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>itial<br />

diagram.

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