When a copper wire is stretched to reduce its thickness by half, its resistance increases due to the relationship between resistance, length, and cross-sectional area. The discussion clarifies that the volume remains constant during stretching, leading to changes in both height and area. The new resistance is calculated to be 16 times the original resistance, R, after considering the changes in dimensions. The participants emphasize the importance of maintaining volume while adjusting the wire's dimensions. The final conclusion is that the new resistance R' equals 16R.