The Art of Electronics: Solutions to Exercises? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: paolo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 07:58:54 pm
content: I've just made a start on this, after reading several recommendations here. Although I'm not far in I'm liking it alot - just about the level I'm after.To make sure I'm taking it in, I'm doing the exercises... but of course, want to know if my answers are correct.Anyone know of any solutions (official or otherwise) published anywhere?

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 08:43:41 pm
content: Publised as in book form - yes. It's called the student manual. I'm not aware of anything online for free.

author: paolo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2012, 10:51:42 pm
content: ok cool - I might see if I can buy a copy of that.I wonder when the revised edition will be out... and whether it will also have a student manual? I guess it's just a case of wait and see at the moment.

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 12:44:06 am
content: thebookdepository has 3rd edition release at 30 june 2013 , but that's probably a guesstimate

author: wolvesofthenight
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 08, 2013, 06:58:01 pm
content: I am running into the same problem. I am attempting to learn more electronics, so I purchased The Art of Electronics (2nd Edu, ISBN 978-0-521-37095-0) and the corresponding student manual (ISBN 978-0-521-37709-6). And, since I am studying independently, I have nobody to double check any work I do.Normally I would do the exercises then double check them with the solutions. But no solutions are provided. The student manual does not provide solutions to the exercises in the book - or if it does, all the searching I have done has not turned them up. It does provide additional problems with solutions. However, these are a few larger problems, well suited for a student laboratory setup. They are not well suited to the step by step practice provided by the exercises in the book, of which is very valuable for insuring that I understand what I are reading as I work through the book.On occasion (for tough questions) I can ask friends or post online. However, that is not piratical for conforming that I am doing the exercises correctly as I do them.Any ideas? Answers for half (or more) of the problems in the book would be ideal - like many text books provide. Another option would be an alternate sources of exercises, with solutions - assuming it reasonably lines up with the book.Or maybe I should try a different book?

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2013, 09:33:21 pm
content: TAOE exercise solutions wiki anyone? I bet it would get filled in pretty quickly, especially after the 3rd edition came out if they used the same questions.

author: sbehnke
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2013, 10:06:22 pm
content: I'd love a Wiki to be able to review the exercises / answers. I doubt I could contribute much yet though since I've only been studying electronics a couple of months thus far.

author: wolvesofthenight
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 09, 2013, 03:35:42 pm
content: I certainly like the idea; it would be a huge help for my study. I wonder if the publisher or authors frown on sites that post solutions. I would expect them to be out there somewhere. Or maybe I need to spend more time looking. However, at the moment I am unsure how much time I would be able to put into helping with such an effort.Another option, should publisher anger or students cheating be a concern, would be to do companion exercises that are variants of what is in the book. E.g. Exercise 1.1 becomes a 3K and 7K resistor, and Exercise 1.2 becomes a 2ohm resistor and a 48v supply. They could even be changed more than this - the point is to have exercises that give you practice and let you know if you really did understand that section. The proofs in 1.3 and 1.4 could not easily be changed - but, personally, I have no problem with proofs being posted.And, I admit, I am still thinking about Exercise 1.3, "Prove the formulas for series and parallel resistors." Though I can probably find that on the web if I give up on figuring it out on my own. Exercise 1.4 (Deriving the equation for N parallel resistors) looks like it could be built from repeated application of the equation for 2 parallel resistors. The real issue there is that mathematical proofs are a week point for me. And I don't remember much about sequences and series, which I think you would use for this proof. I might review that, or I might decide that it is too much of a distraction from the electronics that I am studying right now.

author: NilsGulang
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 01:30:09 pm
content: Hi WolvesofthenightDid you fin any answers to the exercises in the Textbook (The Art of Electronics)?I have searched for some time now but have not found anything.BrNilsGulang

author: Asmyldof
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 10:16:23 pm
content: I think I would be willing to contribute a little to some solutions and the like if the Wiki comes to life.Keep me informed about any help I can provide and I will see what I can do.I do not own the book, or aim to do so in short time, nor am I web-focussed enough to set up such a Wiki myself, but if there is a good webby basis and a steady supply of literally quoted questions/exercises I'm willing to chip in a little if I can and have sufficient time to really fully explain the working. I'm not a magic know-it-all, but I bet I know enough to solve a couple in my general domain.Do include a sort of spoiler roll-over system though, so I can first give the solution in a spoiler line and then in a separate spoiler block the workings. So you can first check if your answer is right, if not try again and if you fail only then look at the workings. That's the awesome on-line can give you over just a hard-copy book(let).

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 09:27:09 pm
content: I still don't own the book, but it's a very interesting idea! I mostly learn a lot better by looking at solved and very well explained exercises than reading theory.What about a guideline to solutions for each exercise? I propose the following:- Step by step.- Detailed but easy to understand explanations, with references to book or any other requirement.- Provide SPICE simulation files if possible and can help in some way.- Write formulas in MathML or LaTeX, like in allabourltcircuits.- Preference to use SVG over raster formats.

author: Mati256
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2017, 11:49:18 pm
content: Looks like the solutions are nowhere to be found so I want to post here and see if anyone can help me.I'm currently working on Excersise 1.10:Given a voltage divider where Vin = 30V, R1 = 10K and R2 = 10K find:a) Output voltage.b) Output voltage with a 10K load.c) Thevenin circuit.d) Same as b but with Thevenin circuit.e) Power dissipated in each resistor.My answers:a) Vout = 15V (Vin x (R2/(R1+R2)))b) Vout = 10V (Same as a but R2 in parallel with Rload = 5k)c) Vth = 15V Rth = 5kd) Vout = 22mV (Vth x (Rth/(Rth+Rload)))e) I'm not sure about this one. With load it should be .01W and without load 22mW?I hope you can give me a hand here. Thanks!

author: akos_nemeth
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2017, 12:36:27 am
content: Quote from: Mati256 on February 13, 2017, 11:49:18 pmHi Mati256,My results:a) 15Vb) it will be a 10K:5K divider with the load, so Vth= 10Vc) Vth=15V, Rth=5Kd) this should be the same as b)c) without load:I=30V/20KOhm=0.0015AP=I^2*R=0.0225W=22.5mWwith load:I = 15V / 15KOhm=1mA (this will be at the voltage source)P1 = I^2*R = 10mW (the upper 10K resistor)P2,3 = (I/2)^2*10K=2.5mW (the current is split equally between the two lower 10K resistor)Regards,Ákos

author: Mati256
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2017, 10:34:12 pm
content: Thanks for your answer. I still don't get part d.Can anyone elaborate?EDIT: Never mind, I was using the wrong formula. Correct formula should be Vth x (Rload/(Rload+Rth))

author: akos_nemeth
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2017, 10:59:54 pm
content: Quote from: Mati256 on February 14, 2017, 10:34:12 pmHi Mati256,Maybe the image helps. The original circuit is marked with "A". We can use the Thévenine equation to find the equivalent circuit "B". Then we add the load resisitor. The voltage at the loading point (marked with red) can be calculated with the simple voltage divider equation. Circuit "C" is the original circuit with the load resisitor and shows that the calculations were correct (same voltage and current ).Regards,Ákos

author: Mati256
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2017, 11:02:08 pm
content: Thanks Akos, I edited my post as you where replying. I was using the wrong formula.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2017, 11:57:07 pm
content: I think LTspice would become my new best friend. Try modeling these simple circuits and keep at it as you progress. Start now before the first step becomes overwhelming. Get used to using the tools!You will eventually get to a point where you are solving loop and mesh equations with complex numbers (AC circuit analysis). These will show up in a matrix form as a solution to simultaneous equations. I would suggest getting into some kind of math solver program. Matlab is a candidate although I have never used mine for circuit analysis. I would highly recommend wxMaxima (and the underlying Maxima) as your second new best friend.Engineering in general and Electronics in particular is heavy on math. I would recommend some kind of scientific calculator with or without graphing. For graphing functions, it is hard to beatwww.desmos.com.https://www.symbolab.com/is another outstanding calculator site.Here is a pretty good introduction to electronics:https://learn.digilentinc.com/classroom/realanalog/Here is a thread about mesh analysis with nodal analysis thrown inhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/mesh-analysis/That thread might be pretty interesting...

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2017, 04:33:54 am
content: Quote from: rstofer on February 14, 2017, 11:57:07 pmI believe the philosophy of TAOE and it's authors is to keep the math to the minimum.From the introduction:QuoteIMHO, this is what sets TAOE apart and the reason for its success. There are plenty of math-heavy electronics textbooks. TAOE is thankfully not one of them.That's not to say no math is required - just that if your are spending a lot of your time solving simultaneous equations or doing loop and mesh equations with complex numbers, you are approaching TAOE wrong and will have lost much of what the book is about. Ditto for going down the rabbit hole of math software packages. IMHO of courseAlso -while SPICE has its place, the authors of TAOE do not spend much time on it and I suspect would frown on the idea of leaning heavily on it as you work through their text.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2017, 06:04:17 am
content: Quote from: mtdoc on February 15, 2017, 04:33:54 amAll of that is true but... If there are no answers given, how is the newcomer going to know if they are anywhere close. Many texts have answers for the odd problems, some have separate books where the answer to odd problems is fully explained.For the last 3 semesters I have been helping my grandson with math. To the maximum extent possible, we check answers with the textbook and or some computer solutions. In some cases web sites are all it takes. Sometimes it takes a bit of Maxima and, on a few occasions, a wee bit of Fortran. There is just as much learning is coming up with answers - but only after doing the work by hand.My goal is to demonstrate that there is always another way..

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2017, 07:07:38 am
content: Quote from: rstofer on February 15, 2017, 06:04:17 amYes, but TAOE is not like the many other electronics textbooks out there. It is really not about the exercises. Yes, the early chapters have exercises scattered here and there throughout the text and some of those chapters have a page of exercises at the end of the chapter. But they are not calculation heavy and are meant more to get one thinking in the right direction . Whether they get the answer exactly right is less important IMHO.Most of the later chapters have few or no exercises. It's just not that kind of textbook (thankfully!).If it's important to one to have someone tell them their answer for one of the relatively few exercises is correct then there's plenty of forums - including this one - where someone will oblige.But if you delve into lots of math, SPICE, or math software packages in order to answer the exercises you're far off track from how TAOE is meant to be used. IMO if they'd meant it to be used that way, there'd be a lot more math heavy exercises all through the book with answers available, etc. - just like the scores of other electronics text books out there.Granted, this approach is not for everyone. For those who like lots of math and lots of exercises with concrete, easily verifiable numeric answers you have many good choices of textbooks.Personally, from a pedagogical perspective, I think Horowitz and Hill get it just right. But it's horses for courses - of course!

author: masterquiper
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 04, 2017, 12:27:28 pm
content: Hi.Thanks for your the information shared, thoug i would like to ask some:1. In a real circuit, the resistor will heat up, how can I calculate that power loss? (Is it then just simply using x times more current from power source, without affecting anything else?)2. I would like to confirm that by testing, which parts should I get to do even some further exercises practically? (as i am not close to such a shop) I will go and buy today a multimeter and some resistor and led's.3. Is there still no book with solutions out?Thanks a lot for your help!Masterquiper

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2017, 02:33:17 pm
content: An online source:https://www.scribd.com/document/291773195/Student-Manual-For-The-Art-Of-Electronics-pdf

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2017, 03:56:59 pm
content: Quote from: masterquiper on April 04, 2017, 12:27:28 pmBack to Ohm's Power Law of which there are a couple of variations:P = I * E - power dissipation is current through resistor times voltage drop across resistorP = I^2 * R - power dissipation is current through resistor squared times value of resistorP = E^2 / R - power dissipation is voltage across resistor squared divided by value of resistor - easiest to measureNote that changing from one form to another just uses the relationships from Ohm's E=IR law.QuoteA bunch of resistors of various values and a battery. The actual values don't impact the learning experience, only the numbers change. In fact, you won't be able to buy resistors with absolute textbook values so you can expect your measurements to be off by a little bit but possibly as much as 10%. Don't forget to measure the battery voltage as you measure the resistor drops because the battery will be dropping supply voltage throughout the process.Try to keep your resistor values at or above 1k Ohm. The idea is to limit current, reduce heat and save on batteries.That said, you may need lower values when you try to determine the Thevinin model for a real battery. We do this by measuring the open circuit battery voltage and then measuring the battery voltage after a load is supplied. The change in voltage is due to the internal (Thevinin) resistance. To get this measurement may require a significant load - maybe 100 Ohms, maybe less. A 12V battery with a 100 Ohm load will dissipate 1.4W at the resistor (E^2 / R). Use a lower voltage battery, maybe a single AA.

author: masterquiper
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 09:31:01 am
content: Thanks a lot for your replies. Now I can go and get the parts and check the exercises (Looks like i am ready)I think it looked that strange, as it is quite useless to only connect a resistor, nothing else to a batt.In this simpler case:Using 5V as Input (from arduino), adding a resistor of 150 Ohms and a single LED of 2V and 20mA. The resistor will use 0.16amps and the LED 0.02? This looks quite inefficient, or am I wrong?Really appreciate,Masterquiper

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 11:54:29 am
content: I can't correct your math, since you didn't show it. No idea where you got 0.16 amps.Current doesn't work like volts or watts. The resistor and the LED will have the same current.Google "selecting LED resistor" for explanations in depth on how 150 Ohms was picked and why.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 04:29:59 pm
content: Quote from: masterquiper on April 06, 2017, 09:31:01 am5V source - 2V LED => 3V across the resistor. 20 mA forward current with 3V drop => 150 Ohm resistor and the current is the same in both the LED and resistor. The resistor is dissipating E^2 / R watts => 9/150 or 0.06 Watts.Every time you use a resistor, you are creating heat. By definition, this is inefficient. Unfortunately, this power loss is just a cost of doing electronics. We work to minimize it but we can not totally avoid it.

author: iainwhite
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 04:45:16 pm
content: Quote from: Nusa on April 06, 2017, 11:54:29 amI believe he used the E^2/R equation from a prior post i.e. 5x5v / 150 Ohms = 0.1666 Amps for the resistor.Not saying that is correct - just my guess at the way it was worked out.

author: jensenr30
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 07, 2022, 10:19:58 pm
content: I recently discovered this repository where people are writing solutions to exercises (in LaTeX!) for the 3rd edition of The Art of Electronics.https://github.com/milesdai/TAoE3SolutionsThe PDF has about 20 solutions so far. I've added a few that should be merged into master soon. Hopefully we can get more community involvement to speed up development of this collection of solutions.PDF direct link:https://github.com/milesdai/TAoE3Solutions/blob/master/Chapter1.pdfQuote from: Asmyldof on May 19, 2015, 10:16:23 pmHere is your opportunity!