In this book we attempt to develop the fundamental results of resistive
network analysis, based upon a sound mathematical structure. The axioms
upon which our development is based are Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Voltage
Law, and Kirchhoff's Current Law. In order to state these axioms
precisely, and use them in the development of our network analysis, an
elaborate mathematical structure is introduced, involving concepts of
graph theory, linear algebra, and one dimensional algebraic topology.
The graph theory and one dimensional algebraic topology used are
developed from first principles; the reader needs no background in these
subjects. However, we do assume that the reader has some familiarity
with elementary linear algebra. It is now stylish to teach elementary
linear algebra at the sophomore college level, and we feel that the
require- ment that the reader should be familiar with elementary linear
algebra is no more demanding than the usual requirement in most
electrical engineering texts that the reader should be familiar with
calculus. In this book, however, no calculus is needed. Although no
formal training in circuit theory is needed for an understanding of the
book, such experience would certainly help the reader by presenting him
with familiar examples relevant to the mathematical abstractions
introduced. It is our intention in this book to exhibit the effect of
the topological properties of the network upon the branch voltages and
branch currents, the objects of interest in network analysis.