Final answer:
To solve a circuit using Thevenin's theorem, identify the load resistor, find Thevenin's equivalent voltage and resistance, and then calculate the current or power using Ohm's law and power formula. Use Kirchhoff's rules or circuit reduction techniques if there are multiple unknowns.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve a circuit problem by using Thevenin's theorem, a method that simplifies a complex circuit to a simple equivalent circuit with a single voltage source and series resistance, we start by identifying the load resistor (R1 in this case) and removing it from the original complex network.
Next, we find Thevenin's equivalent voltage (Vth) and Thevenin's equivalent resistance (Rth) for the network by looking at the circuit from the perspective of the two points where the load resistor was connected. This involves calculating the open-circuit voltage and the resistance seen from the load's perspective.
With the Thevenin equivalent circuit constructed, we now reintroduce the load resistance (R1) to this simplified network. We can use Ohm's law (V = IR) to calculate current (I) or other missing variables. Alternatively, if power (P) is known or needed, we can use the power formula P = I2R. It's important to ensure we apply these formulas correctly, and when multiple unknowns exist, we might need additional equations through methods like Kirchhoff's rules or circuit reduction techniques for series and parallel combinations.