Activity 1.1.

5a Circuit Theory: Hand Calculations

Introduction
Have you ever used a calculator to add some numbers, looked at the answer, and realized
that it was wrong? How did you know that the answer was incorrect? The calculator gave you
an answer; why did you not trust it? You knew the answer was wrong because you
understand the fundamentals of mathematics. Your instinct told you that the answer could not
be correct.

The same is true for circuit analysis. Throughout this course you will be using Circuit Design
Software (CDS) to test the circuits that you design. This software will always give an answer,
whether it is right or wrong. The only way that you will be able to rely on these answers is if
you have an understanding of the laws of circuit analysis. You must develop the same instinct
for circuit behavior that you have for mathematics.

In this activity you will gain experience applying Ohms Law and Kirchhoffs Voltage and
Current Laws to solve simple series and parallel circuits.

Equipment
Calculator

Procedure
1. For each of the resistors shown below, use Ohms Law to calculate the unknown
quantity. Be sure to put your answer in proper engineering notation and use the
correct units.

I = 5.31 mA R=233k V=30.8V

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Digital Electronics Activity 1.1.5a Circuit Theory: Hand Calculations Page 1
 R=240 I=2.94mA V=300V

2. For each of the circuits shown below, calculate the value for RT.
Be sure to put your answer in proper engineering notation and use the correct units.

Calculations:
a) 820+1200+150 = 2.17k

a)

b)
470+3900+4700+1800=
10.87k

b)

1
c) 1 1 1 =564.61
+ +
5600 680 8200

c)

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 d) 66.667

d)

3. Using the laws of circuit theory, solve for RT, IT, VR1, VR2, & VR3.
Be sure to put your answer in proper engineering notation and use the correct units.

RT = 1.94k, IT = 4.63mA, VR1 = 2.18V, VR2 =

5.57V, VR3 = 1.25V
Using the calculations from problem (3), verify your results using Kirchhoffs Voltage Law.

4. Using the laws of circuit theory, solve for RT, IT, VR1, VR2, VR3, & VR4. Be sure to put
your answer in proper engineering notation and use the correct units.

RT = 24.2k, IT = 247, VR1 = 669mV, VR2

= 2.47V, VR3 = 818mV, VR4 = 2.03mV
Using the calculations from problem (4), verify your results using Kirchhoffs Voltage Law.

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 5. Using the laws of circuit theory, solve for RT, IT, IR1, IR2, & IR3. Be sure to put your
answer in proper engineering notation and use the correct units.

RT = 2.07k, IT = 5.78mA, IR1 = 1.4mA, IR2

= 1.67mA, IR2 = 2.55mA
Using the calculations from problem (5), verify your results using Kirchhoffs Current Law.

6. Using the laws of circuit theory, solve for RT, IT, IR1, IR2, IR3, & IR4. Be sure to put your
answer in proper engineering notation and use the correct units.

RT = 1.11k, IT = 5.372mA, IR1 =

2.22mA, IR2 = 600A, IR3 = 1.81mA, IR4 = 731A
Using the calculations from problem (6), verify your results using Kirchhoffs Current Law.

Conclusion
1. State two rules for the voltage and current in a series circuit.

RT = R1 + R2 + + Rn
V=IR

Going Further Optional

The circuit shown below is a series/parallel circuit. That is, some of its resistors are
connected in series and some are in parallel. Using the laws of circuit theory,
solve for RT & IT.

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Digital Electronics Activity 1.1.5a Circuit Theory: Hand Calculations Page 4
1.2k
20.8mA

Resistor Current Voltage

1 20.8mA 6.87V
2 13.9mA 8.33V
3 13.9mA 4.17V
4 6.94mA 12.5V
5 20.8mA 5.62V

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Digital Electronics Activity 1.1.5a Circuit Theory: Hand Calculations Page 5