Here's another example, this time with variable names instead of numerical values.

This node happens

to have 555 branches. Each branch might (or might not) carry a current, labeled i_1 \,\text{to} \, i_5i

toi

i, start subscript, 1, end subscript, start text, t, o, end text, i, start subscript, 5, end subscript.

All the arrows are drawn pointing in. This choice of direction is arbitrary. Arrows pointing inward is as
good a choice as any at this point. The arrows establish a reference direction for what we choose to call
a positive current.

Look at branch current {i_1}i

i, start subscript, 1, end subscript.

Where does it go?

The first thing {i_1}i

i, start subscript, 1, end subscript does is flow into the node (represented by the black dot).

Then what?

Here's two things {i_1}i

i, start subscript, 1, end subscript can't do: The flowing charge in {i_1}i

i, start subscript, 1, end subscript can't stay inside the node. (The node does not have a place to store
charge). And {i_1}i
1

i, start subscript, 1, end subscript's charge can't jump off the wires into thin air. Charge just doesn't do
that under normal circumstances.

What's left?: The current has to flow out of the node through one or more of the other branches.

For our example node, we would write this as,

i_1 + i_2 + i_3 + i_4 + i_5 = 0i

+i

+i

+i

+i

=0i, start subscript, 1, end subscript, plus, i, start subscript, 2, end subscript, plus, i, start subscript, 3,
end subscript, plus, i, start subscript, 4, end subscript, plus, i, start subscript, 5, end subscript, equals, 0

If {i_1}i

i, start subscript, 1, end subscript is a positive current flowing into the node, then one or more of the
other currents must be flowing out. Those outgoing currents will have a -−minusnegative sign.

This observation about currents flowing in a node is nicely captured in general form as Kirchhoff's
Current Law.