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Homework Statement
In the circuit in the figure below, the reading of the ammeter is the same when both switches are open and when both switches are closed. What is the unknown resistance R? (Let R1 = 103 Ω, R2 = 279 Ω, and R3 = 46.0 Ω.)
Homework Equations
Adding Resistance in Series: R1 + R2 = Req
Adding Resistance in Parallel: 1/R1 + 1/R2 = 1/Req
V = IR ... I = V/R
The Attempt at a Solution
I believe you have to find the resistance in both cases, switch open and closed, and then set them equal because I = V/R is equal in both cases, so R must be equal, since V doesn't change (always 1.5).
For switch OPEN, I got: Req,open = R2 + R1 + R3
For switch CLOSED, I got: Req, closed = R2 + (1/R1 + 1/Runknown)^-1
I set these equal and solved for Ruknown and got 316.8, but that isn't right. Any tips? Thank you!