General Question Regarding Kirchhoff's Loop Rule

[cep]

Homework Statement

This is not an exact homework problem, but a question about a problem-solving strategy. In a multiloop circuit, when there are two resistors in series in a single loop that are not interrupted by junctions or emf sources, should I (or must I) find Req before analyzing the circuit?

Crude example:

|----R1----R2---|---V2--|
|xxxxxxxxxxxxx|xxxxxx|
|--------V1------|--R3---|

Sorry it's so ugly, x is dead space and the lines are wires. This kind of circuit could be much more complicated, but this is the basic concept.

Homework Equations

Kirchhoff's Loop Rule, 1/R1+1/R2 = 1/Req (in series)

 

[cupid.callin]

it doest matter ...

you can do it either way