Resistors in both Series and Parallel

Resistors in both series and parallel calculations have been some challenges which many people especially students face in their academic course.

In this post, I approached and solved a problem on resistors connected in such network. The solved problem could be similarly or familiar to what you have ever come across. It could be useful for learning how to solve such problem(s) likewise.

Resistors in both series and parallel network combination connections can be broken up into smaller parts that are either one or the other.

The circuit below shows how resistors could be in combination of both series and parallel connection

Resistors in both series and parallel

Example

Find the equivalent resistance and the total current, in the network above. If R1=1Ω, R2=2Ω, and R3=2Ω and 100V Pd is across the circuit.

Solution:

Take the steps below to solve this problem. This steps are successful ways in which you can solve the above given problem.

  • First of all, solve for the parallel connections

R2 and R3 are in parallel, the equivalent resistance of the two (Rp) is:

Rp=R2XR3/R2+R3

=2×2/2+2

=4/4

=1Ω

  • Make this be in series with R1
  • Solve this as series now

RT=R1+Rp

=1+1

RT=2Ω

Total current in the circuit: According to Ohm’s law

V=IR

I=V/RT

=100/2

=50A

READ ALSO THESE

Resistors in Series and Parallel / Resistors and Types of Resistors / Ohm’s Law and its Limitations / How to Measure Resistor’s Value using Multimeter / Determining Unknown Resistors Values / How to Read Resistor Colour Codes

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