In order to use the superposition theorem with circuit currents and voltages, all of the components must be linear;

that is, for all resistive components, the current must be proportional to the applied voltage (satisfying Ohms law). Note that the superposition theorem is not applicable to power, since power is not a linear quantity. The total power delivered to a resistive component must be determined using the total current through or the total voltage across the component and cannot be determined by a simple sum of the powers produced by the sources independently. For example, when current i1 flows through resistor R, the power is p1 = Ri12, and when current i2 flows through R, the power is p2 = Ri22. If current i1 + i2 flows through R, the power absorbed is p3 = R(i1 + i2)2 = Ri12 + Ri22+ 2Ri1i2 p1 + p2. Thus, the power relation is nonlinear. (p-123 -FEC-Alexander)