Answer:
a) R₁ = 14.1 Ω, b) R₂ = 19.9 Ω
Explanation:
For this exercise we must use ohm's law remembering that in a series circuit the equivalent resistance is the sum of the resistances
all resistors connected
V = i (R₁ + R₂)
with R₁ connected
V = (i + 0.5) R₁
with R₂ connected
V = (i + 0.25) R₂
We have a system of three equations with three unknowns for which we can solve it
We substitute the last two equations in the first
V = i ( [tex]\frac{V}{ i+0.5} + \frac{V}{i+0.25}[/tex] )
1 = i ( [tex]\frac{1}{i+0.5} + \frac{1}{i+0.25}[/tex] )
1 = i ( [tex]\frac{i+0.5+i+0.25}{(i+0.5) \ ( i+0.25) }[/tex] ) = [tex]\frac{i^2 + 0.75i}{i^2 + 0.75 i + 0.125}[/tex]
i² + 0.75 i + 0.125 = 2i² + 0.75 i
i² - 0.125 = 0
i = √0.125
i = 0.35355 A
with the second equation we look for R1
R₁ = [tex]\frac{V}{i+0.5}[/tex]
R₁ = 12 /( 0.35355 +0.5)
R₁ = 14.1 Ω
with the third equation we look for R2
R₂ = [tex]\frac{V}{i+0.25}[/tex]
R₂ =[tex]\frac{12}{0.35355+0.25}[/tex]
R₂ = 19.9 Ω