To find the internal resistance r of a battery using the equation r = (E - V) / V * R, one must know the electromotive force (emf) E, the terminal voltage V, and the resistance of the voltmeter R. The discussion clarifies that R is necessary for calculating r, but the user is unsure how to determine R. Understanding the relationship between these variables is crucial for solving the equation. The focus remains on the algebraic manipulation needed to isolate and calculate the internal resistance.