# Calculating gain of amplifiers

I have read an interesting formula that says that

$$\\mbox{Gain of an amplifier} = \dfrac{\mbox{resistance connected at the output}}{\mbox{total resistance between source and gate of the amplifier}}\$$

Well, this has simplified the gain calculation and helped me avoid the small signal analysis which proves to be cumbersome in quite many cases.

But I was wondering how to manage the sign in the expression, i.e. let's say for the common source amplifier the gain has a negative sign before it but the common gate amplifier has a positive sign before its gain formula.

What is the significance of the sign?

I am here referring to the MOSFET common source amplifiers and the common gate amplifiers.

• Can you add a link to the document you read that states this? The sign means it either inverts the signal 180 degrees (-), or doesn't (+, 0 degrees) An amplifier is a generic term also, but I assume you mean a FET amplifier here. Aug 25, 2011 at 7:39

Of course you could specify the equation as $$-$$\ Rdrain \over\ Rsource$$$$ to make sure you always get the right polarity.