What methods or resources do you think work best for grasping these concepts? How do you approach learning circuit calculations, and what have you found helpful in applying them in your studies?

 

What methods or resources do you think work best for grasping these concepts? How do you approach learning circuit calculations, and what have you found helpful in applying them in your studies?

For me, it was a solid foundation in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, and physics.

 

For me, it was a solid foundation in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, and physics.

i agree with you

 

I also asked this in Facebook community and people asked me to visit here to improve the academic performance in stem

 

when i was studying engineering, workload was considerable and pace pretty fast. new things were introduced and used as basis for next things. i found that being good in math was essential to keep up and maintain good grades. besides being full time student, and i had a job, so match and programming were absolutely critical for me.

 

when i was studying engineering, workload was considerable and pace pretty fast. new things were introduced and used as basis for next things. i found that being good in math was essential to keep up and maintain good grades. besides being full time student, and i had a job, so match and programming were absolutely critical for me.








I also calculate academic performance through this calculator: <link removed by moderator>

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I can definitely relate to the fast pace and the importance of math in staying on top of things.

 

What methods or resources do you think work best for grasping these concepts? How do you approach learning circuit calculations, and what have you found helpful in applying them in your studies?

Hello,

The least prerequisite I would say is basic algebra. To understand the simplest multi-node circuits you need to know simultaneous equations. You can then learn how to do Nodal Analysis as well as other circuit analysis methods.
Then there is trigonometry, which helps with a lot of AC circuits, along with complex numbers with some complex arithmetic.
Geometry of course can't hurt, but that comes in mostly in the physics aspects when you have to deal with physical constructions.
If you want to go further, then some calculus. Calculus based electrical circuit theory is much better than just algebraic circuit theory, but you can still go pretty far with just the algebra.
To get really into it, differential equations. Mostly ordinary differential equations ODE's. You'll find a lot to read about on this on the web including ways to solve them straight up and also solve them numerically. Solving them numerically gives you a lot of insight about how things are working. Solving them analytically when possible gives you a more general type of insight that provides highly theoretical results that you can't get from a numerical analysis (or simulator), although some books on this stuff is highly recommended so you have a programmed course of learning. Lot's to read on the web too without buying any books.
Once you get past some of this, analytical geometry is very useful when you have to start an analysis on physical objects from the ground up, as well as other stuff.
You might not want to get into partial differential equations at first though, except for the simpler ones. These things can describe nature pretty well but could easily go way beyond circuit analysis; things about waves, heat flow, etc.

As I said at the start though algebra is a good first step and gets you pretty far when combined with complex numbers and arithmetic. Besides AC analysis, you can do some types of time domain analysis just using algebra and maybe a little trigonometry.

Let us know how you make out with this.

 

Strong, fundamental math skills are pretty much at the center of most STEM subjects. Without that core competency, particularly in algebra, you will spend all your time struggling with the math instead of gaining proficiency with the concepts.

Beyond that, the phrasing of your question possibly reveals a bit about what might be your biggest stumbling block (and is certainly the biggest one for many people). You ask about how to approach learning "circuit calculations," as opposed to "circuit concepts." Many people just want to memorize a bunch of formulas and then memorize a bunch of rules about when to use each of them. Instead, focus on understanding the underlying principles so well that you not only don't need to memorize the formulas, but you can derive the overwhelming majority of them on the fly. Refuse to use any equation that you don't understand exactly where it came from and, ideally, what it's limitations are.

 

Math and to some degree physics, are the brain workouts which will give your brain the stamina and agility to attack engineering problems successfully.

If you like playing soccer for instance, the very first thing you must build is strength and endurance before anything else. Otherwise you'll not be able to complete 90 minutes plus overtime of constant running back and forth in a warm day.
It doesn't matter if you handle the ball skillfully, if you can't take a sprint because you are exhausted, you won't be a good soccer player.

 

For more its really much solid foundation in arithmetic

 

An interdisciplinary approach to technology and science improves career performance.
Circuits are connected to a wide variety of technologies that are quickly changing,
micro-controllers, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, smart cities. All needing innovation, problem solving
being familiar, knowing how to approach, interface, program, trouble shoot, plan, select and deduct.
Putting a stem kit together is as important as using math equations, finding success in building
along with playing with fractions, not being afraid of numbers, symbols, circuits and components.