- Determine the equivalent resistance of the resistors in parallel. We’ve
already learned to make such calculations. This one is no different:
So the equivalent resistance is 6. In effect, this means that the two resistors in parallel
have the same resistance as if there were a single 6 resistor in their place. We can
redraw the diagram to capture this equivalence:
- Treating the equivalent resistance of the resistors in parallel as a
single resistor, calculate the total resistance by adding resistors in
series. The diagram above gives us two resistors in series. Calculating the total
resistance of the circuit couldn’t be easier:
Now that you’ve looked at this two-step technique for dealing with circuits in parallel and
in series, you should have no problem answering a range of other questions.
EXAMPLE