How Can You Calculate the Total Equivalent Resistance in a Circuit?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the total equivalent resistance in a circuit with multiple resistors. Participants emphasize the importance of identifying pairs of resistors in parallel and series configurations. The formulas used are: for parallel resistors, 1/R_eq = 1/R1 + 1/R2, and for series resistors, R_eq = R1 + R2. The specific resistances mentioned are R1=2Ω, R2=5Ω, R3=13Ω, and R4=8Ω, which are crucial for determining the equivalent resistance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrical circuits and resistor configurations
  • Familiarity with Ohm's Law
  • Knowledge of equivalent resistance calculations for series and parallel resistors
  • Ability to interpret circuit diagrams
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the formula for equivalent resistance in complex circuits
  • Learn about circuit simplification techniques
  • Explore Kirchhoff's laws for analyzing circuits
  • Investigate the use of circuit simulation software for visualizing resistor combinations
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineering students, hobbyists building circuits, and anyone interested in understanding resistor combinations and circuit analysis.

HEYJOHN
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What single, equivalent resistor could replace all of the resistors in this circuit?

Rtot = Ω
2 NO

HELP: If you study the diagram, you will see one pair of resistors which is in parallel. Replace this pair with a single equivalent resistor and re-draw the circuit.

HELP: If you have followed the previous suggestion, you will now see a pair of resistors which is in series. Replace this pair with a single equivalent resistor and re-draw the circuit again.

here is an image of the circuit: https://tycho-s.physics.wisc.edu/cgi/courses/shell/common/showme.pl?courses/phys104/fall09/homework/04/r2/ex1s95p3.gif

Req parallel: 1/R1 + 1/R2 = 1/Req

Req series: R1 + R2 =Req

R1=2 R2=5 R3=13 R4=8

I've tried to redraw the circuit where Req= R1 + R2 + [1/(1/R3)+(1/R4)] but that didn't work, any suggestions to which two resistors in the image are parallel to one another to get me started on redrawing the circuit to solve the problem?
 
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Just figured it out, thanks!
 

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