Introduction

Math for Electronics 1

Andrew Thangaraj
Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras
What study math?

Mathematics is the language of science and engineering

Mass, length, time, voltage, current - physical

quantities expressed as numbers in some units
Physical quantities are related to each other

Math: logical and precise study of numbers and relations

Why math in electronics?

Numbers and relationships between them are vital in the

specification and design of an electronic system
Numbers in an electronic system

Specifications: <number> Units

Dimension (height): 90 mm = 90 × 10−3 m, Input sensitivity: 250
mV = 250 × 10−3 V, Gross weight: 9 Kg = 9 × 103 g etc.
Scientific notation for numbers: very very small (6.6 × 10−11 ) to
very very large (3 × 108 ) in compact manner
What is dB? Later....
Numbers in math
Natural numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, …
Integers: … , −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, …
p
Rational numbers: , where p and q are integers and q =
0
q
Irrational numbers: 2, π etc.

Real number line

−7 1 13
−2π −2 5 −π/2 2 π 2π
2 2 3

-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Operations with numbers

Addition Subtraction

Multiplication Division

Assumption: Good comfort with calculations using a

calculator/computer
Desirable skill: Approximate/rough mental computation
41235 × 57 4 × 104 × 6 × 10
≈ = 6000
390 4 × 102
Relations between quantities: Examples

Shopping
Balance = Payment − Expenditure

Area
A = lb b
Area of a rectangle = Length × Breadth
l
I
Circuit
Voltage = Current × Resistance V R

V = IR
Math is all about working with relationships
between quantities
Start with simple/basic relationships.
Use logic to precisely extend to more complex situations.
Derive new relationships. Solve new problems.

Examples: Shopping
1. Arun had Rs. 500 with him. He purchased 5 notebooks, each
costing Rs. 55. What amount will he have left?
2. Arun had Rs. 500 with him for buying notebooks and pens.
Each notebook costs Rs. 55 and each pen Rs. 35.
a. What is the maximum number of notebooks he can buy?
b. If he buys 2 pens and the maximum number of notebooks
with the remaining money, what amount will he have left?
Example: Area of a parallelogram
Logic: Area enclosed by a figure does not change if the
figure is moved, rotated or mirrored.

height
base

height

base

Area of a parallelogram = base × height

1
Problem: Area of a triangle = base × height ?
2
Problems in electronic circuits

Find relationships between voltages and

currents in different points in a circuit

Precise relationships are vital - hence, math is a requirement

Main ideas and concepts
Linear equations (DC circuits)
Functions of one variable (voltage/current are signals -
functions of time)
Calculus - differentiation, integration (current through
capacitor depends on rate of change of voltage)
Differential equations (circuits with time-varying
voltages/currents)
Complex numbers (AC circuits in steady state)