There are two ways we can calculate the maximum input voltage:
1. Power equals:
P = (I^2)*R
I = sqrt(P/R)
= sqrt(10 W/10 ohms)
= 1 Amp
Therefore:
Maximum Voltage = Vr + Vbulb
= Ir*R + 1.5 V
= (1 Amp * 10 ohms) + 1.5 V
= 11.5 V
2. The maximum allowed current for the diodes is 1 Amp. Thus the maximum current across the 10 ohm resistor will be 1 Amp for one of the diodes (they do not conduct simultaneously) plus 0.3 Amp for the light bulb, which equals 1.3 Amp. Therefore:
Maximum Voltage = Vr + Vbulb
= Ir*R + 1.5 V
= (1.3 Amp * 10 ohms) + 1.5 V
= 13 V + 1.5 V
= 14.5 V
We choose the smallest of the two voltages which will be 11.5 V.