
The bridge is
not balanced — \(\displaystyle \frac{AB}{BC}=\frac{10}{5}=2\) while
\(\displaystyle \frac{AD}{DC}=\frac{5}{10}=\tfrac12\) — so a current does cross BD and
Kirchhoff's rules are needed rather than a series–parallel reduction.
Let \(\displaystyle I_1\) flow A→B, \(\displaystyle I_2\) flow A→D and \(\displaystyle I_3\) flow D→B. Applying the
junction rule at A, B and D and the loop rule round ABDA, BCDB and the outer
circuit through the cell gives
\[I_1=\tfrac{4}{17}\ \mathrm{A},\qquad I_2=\tfrac{6}{17}\ \mathrm{A},\qquad
I_3=\tfrac{2}{17}\ \mathrm{A}\ (\text{from D to B}) \]
so the branch currents are
AB = $\displaystyle 4$/$\displaystyle 17$ A ≈ $\displaystyle 0.24$ A
BC = I₁ + I₃ = $\displaystyle 6$/$\displaystyle 17$ A ≈ $\displaystyle 0.35$ A
AD = $\displaystyle 6$/$\displaystyle 17$ A ≈ $\displaystyle 0.35$ A
DC = I₂ − I₃ = $\displaystyle 4$/$\displaystyle 17$ A, flowing D→C. The key names this branch CD and so
prints it as −$\displaystyle 4$/$\displaystyle 17$ A — the same current, read the other way round.
BD = $\displaystyle 2$/$\displaystyle 17$ A, flowing D→B; printed as −$\displaystyle 2$/$\displaystyle 17$ A for the same reason.
Total drawn from the cell = $\displaystyle 10$/$\displaystyle 17$ A ≈ $\displaystyle 0.59$ A
Check. From A to C by ABC: \(\displaystyle \tfrac{4}{17}(10)+\tfrac{6}{17}(5)=\tfrac{70}{17}\ \mathrm{V}\);
by ADC: \(\displaystyle \tfrac{6}{17}(5)+\tfrac{4}{17}(10)=\tfrac{70}{17}\ \mathrm{V}\). The two
paths agree, as they must. Adding the drop across the $\displaystyle 10$ Ω in series with the
cell, \(\displaystyle \tfrac{70}{17}+\tfrac{10}{17}(10)=\tfrac{170}{17}=10\ \mathrm{V}\), the emf.