Rules for Mesh Analysis:

1. Identify the number of independent loops.

2. Form the loop currents.
3. Assign polarity to all resistive elements.
4. For currents entering from positive to negative, assign a negative sign during the formation
of KVL equation. Similarly, for currents entering from negative to positive, assign a positive
sign during the formation of KVL equation.
5. The polarity of the central element is decided by the dominating loop current equation. If
you are forming the first equation, the direction of the first loop current decides the polarity
of the central element. If you are forming the second equation, the direction of the second
loop current decides the polarity of the second element.
6. Always choose the clockwise direction of the loop current for each and every independent
loop.
7. If both loop currents are in opposite directions, the current through the central element is
the subtraction of both loop currents; otherwise, it is additive in nature. If you are forming
the first equation, the first loop current should be higher than the second loop current in
subtractive nature. Similarly, for forming the second equation, the second loop current
should be higher than the first loop current in subtractive nature. This rule is only for
identifying the current through the central elements.

Rules for Solving Mesh Analysis using Matrix Method:

1. Identify the number of independent loops.

2. The number of equations is equal to the number of loop currents.
3. The size of the R matrix depends on the number of independent loops. For example, if there
are two independent loops, the size of the R matrix is 2 x 2.
4. Apply Ohm's law equation for the Matrix Method of Mesh Analysis, i.e., [R] [I] = [V].
5. Assign a negative sign for all non-diagonal elements because the loop current direction is
always assumed to be clockwise for every independent loop.
6. The diagonal elements are obtained by summing up all the resistive elements in the
particular independent loop. For example, R11 is the sum of all the resistances in the first
independent loop.
7. The common resistance value between two independent loops is the non-diagonal element.
8. Apply Cramer's rule for finding the loop currents.