# Voltage Divider Circuit with two unknowns?

Discussion in 'Homework Help' started by TripleDeuce, Sep 20, 2010.

1. ### TripleDeuce Thread Starter New Member

Sep 20, 2010
26
0
Analysis with window not broken:

When the window is not broken, the voltage
divider circuit is as shown on the right. For
clarity and for comparison with the next case,
we have denoted the output as vo1. Derive a
relationship between the output vo1 and the
unknown variables E and R. We note that
one of the design constraints is that vo1 should
be less than 6 V. This yields one constraint
equation. Write this equation in the space
below.​

I know that the 400 Ω resistor and 200 Ω resistor are in parallel so their R_equivalent can be written as follows

R_eq = 400(200) / (400+200) = 800/6 Ω

Using the Voltage Divider formula: I get V_01 = E(R_eq/R+R_eq)

but since I have two unknowns, I don't know what to do. That 6V they inform me about plays a role but I don't know how to use it.

Substitute V_01 with 6 which would yield 6V = E(R_eq/R+R_eq)? This is also a problem I encounter while doing the second part of the problem.

Analysis with window broken:

When the window is broken, the voltage di-
vider circuit simplifies to the one shown on
the right. In this case, we have denoted the
output as vo2. Derive a relationship between
the output vo2 and the unknown variables E
and R. We note that one of the design con-
straints is that vo2 should be greater than 6 V
but less than 24 V. This yields another con-
straint equation. Write this equation in the
space below.

The resistors are connected in series so I can use the Voltage Divider formula

V_02 = E(400Ω/R+400Ω)

but then I am stuck again because E and R are not known.

Select the values for E and R to satisfy the above two constraint equations, and verify that the chosen values indeed will work. Do all your work in the space below, and backside if needed.

2. ### beenthere Retired Moderator

Apr 20, 2004
15,808
295
You may want to rerun the equation:

3. ### TripleDeuce Thread Starter New Member

Sep 20, 2010
26
0
Whoops. 400/3

4. ### beenthere Retired Moderator

Apr 20, 2004
15,808
295
You have the initial formula correct -
The formula is usually referred to as Product over Sum.

What is 400 * 200?
What is 400 + 200?

5. ### t_n_k AAC Fanatic!

Mar 6, 2009
5,448
790
Hi beenthere,

Not sure what your objection relates to ...

Req=400*200/(400+200)=400*200/600=800/6=400/3=133.333 ...

I think the OP's maths is OK.

6. ### t_n_k AAC Fanatic!

Mar 6, 2009
5,448
790
TripleDeuce - this looks rather like a linear programming exercise. Are you familiar with that method?

7. ### beenthere Retired Moderator

Apr 20, 2004
15,808
295
Missed the dropped 0's.

8. ### TripleDeuce Thread Starter New Member

Sep 20, 2010
26
0
@ t_n_k

No, I don't think I've done any linear programming before. This is for my electrical engineering class.

9. ### Georacer Moderator

Nov 25, 2009
5,154
1,281
Both of the constraints make two equations, suitable for calculating both quantities. But the exercise seems to ask for them to be calculated separately. Wierd...

10. ### TripleDeuce Thread Starter New Member

Sep 20, 2010
26
0
Could you show me how to use the constraints?

What do I do with the
?

Do I substitute 6V for vo1 and then try to solve?

11. ### t_n_k AAC Fanatic!

Mar 6, 2009
5,448
790
The problem lacks any constraints on either E or R and therefore one can presumably calculate a conditional but infinite set of values for E and R which satisfy the vo1 & vo2 constraints. Something seems to be missing from the problem statement.

12. ### Georacer Moderator

Nov 25, 2009
5,154
1,281
Maybe we misunderstand the question, and in reality it just asks at first for an expression, not a solution and in the end it wants an area of values.

With that direction in mind we solve as follows:

You correctly extracted the two inequalities from each constraint
$\left\ \begin{array}{l} 22.2 \cdot E < R +133.33 \\
R+400<66.67 \cdot E<4 \cdot R+1600 \end{array} \right}$

Now, my skills in solving inequalities are a bit rusty, so I recommend the intuitive method. Break the above system into 3 equalities. Plot them in a graph with R and E as axis. Mark the areas that correspond to the inequalities. The area that is marked by all 3 inequalities is the one that contains all the pairs of solutions.

Or have WolframAlpha do it for you!

13. ### t_n_k AAC Fanatic!

Mar 6, 2009
5,448
790
Nice outcome - you have an infinity of choices!

As Georacer's analysis indicates, you may select any pair of (E,R) values whose co-ordinates lie at any point within the permissible area.