Impedance Triangles

Current Uses Impedance Magnitude

The current denominator is the impedance magnitude, not one leg. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

Current uses the impedance magnitude

Voltage 10 volts over impedance magnitude 5 ohms gives current 2 amperes.

I=V∣Z∣=105=2I = {V \over |Z|} = {10\over 5} = 2
Current from impedanceThe current value is checked from voltage and impedance.RXZ

The denominator is the full magnitude

Using only the 3 ohm resistance would not match the checked current.

∣Z∣=5 Ω,I=2 A|Z|=5\ \Omega,\quad I=2\ A
Full impedance denominatorThe checked vector is the denominator.RXZ