# voltage matrix doesn't have a solution

Circuit Problem

Follow the link to the circuit that I need to solve for all the resistor voltage drops.

I have to make 5 linearly independent equations in order to solve for all 5 unknown voltages.

Using the loops as drawn in the image following the link I get the equations:

1. iR1*4000 + iR2*2000 = 8
2. -iR2*2000 + iR3*1000 = 4
3. iR4*6000 + iR5*1000 = -4
4. iR1*4000 + iR3*1000 = 12
5. -iR2*2000 + iR3*1000 + iR4*6000 - iR5*1000 = 0


And the Matrix:

4000  2000     0     0     0     8

0 -2000  1000     0     0     4

0     0     0  6000  1000    -4

4000     0  1000     0     0    12

0 -2000  1000  6000 -1000     0


When I row reduce this matrix, I get a row of all zeros which indicates that there isn't one unique solution to this matrix. I cant figure out what I am doing wrong as this is impossible. I could probably use different loops but I still need to understand why this configuration does not work. I have the understanding that all of my equations are linearly independent.

• You can do with three unknown currents only (f.i. those in $R_1,R_3,R_4$). The other currents are found by difference. – Yves Daoust May 20 at 22:01
• I am ok with your equations 1,2,3, and that is all loops you need. Beyond that, donÄt forget Kirchhoff's law, i.e., $I_1-I_2-I_3=0$ and $I_4=I_5$ – Hagen von Eitzen May 20 at 22:05

$$\begin{cases}V_1+R_1i_1+R_2(i_1-i_3)=0,\\R_2(i_3-i_1)+R_3i_3+V_2=0,\\-V_2+R_4i_4+R_5i_4=0.\end{cases}$$

The matrix of the system is

$$\begin{pmatrix}R_1+R_2&-R_2&0\\-R_2&R_2+R_3&0\\0&0&R_4+R_5\end{pmatrix}.$$

In fact, as there is no resistor in the edge $$V_2$$, the loop of $$R_4$$ is stand-alone (as shown by the matrix structure). And the determinant is obviously positive.

By superposition:

Set $$V_2=0$$ (short-circuit), and $$V_1$$ sees an equivalent resistance

$$R_1+\frac1{\dfrac1{R_2}+\dfrac1{R_3}}.$$

Then set $$V_1=0$$, and $$V_2$$ sees a resistance

$$\frac1{\dfrac1{R_1}+\dfrac1{R_2}}+R_3$$ on one side and $$R_4+R_5$$ on the other. With that you can find all currents.