What is the total resistance of this circuit with all resistors at 20 ohms?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the total resistance of a circuit with eight 20-ohm resistors. The initial calculations involve determining the equivalent resistance of resistors in series and parallel configurations. After some back-and-forth, it is clarified that the configuration of the resistors affects the total resistance, leading to a final value of approximately 32.38 ohms. Participants emphasize the importance of correctly visualizing the circuit layout to avoid confusion in calculations. Ultimately, the correct approach confirms that the total resistance is indeed around 32 ohms.
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Homework Statement


Find the total resistance of this circuit:
resisters.jpg


each resistance in this circuit is 20ohms.
(r1=r2=r3=r4=r5=r6=r7=r8=20ohms)

Homework Equations


Rt=r1+r2+r3... for series
1/Rt=1/r1+1/2r+1/r3... for parallel


The Attempt at a Solution



since r4 and r5 is parallel to r6
so r4 to r6
= 1/(1/(20+20)+1/20)
=13.333333333333
r7 is in series with r4 to r6
r4 to r7
=13.333333333333+20
=33.333333333333
r3 is parallel with r4 to r7
r3 to r7
=1/(1/33.333333+1/20)
=12.5
r8 is in series with r3 to r7
r3 to r8
=12.5+20
=32.5
r2 is parallel with r3 to r8
r2 to r8
=1/(1/32.5+1/20)
=12.38
r1 is in series with r2 to r8
rt
=20+12.38
=32.38

yea i got it and i think it's right except my friend said it's wrong but i can't figure out where
 
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Replace r4 to r6 by a single resistor since you solved for its resistance. Then check if that single resistor is in series with r7. Keep redrawing the pic with the simplified resistors and work your way to the left.
 
nickjer said:
Replace r4 to r6 by a single resistor since you solved for its resistance. Then check if that single resistor is in series with r7. Keep redrawing the pic with the simplified resistors and work your way to the left.

isn't that what i did on my solution?
 
I will give you a starting point. The new resistor you found in your first step is not in series with r7. If you drew it properly in the schematic it would in fact be in parallel with r3 and r7.
 
Looks to me for the configuration shown like:

(((((R4 + R5) || R6) + R7) || R3) + R8) || R2) + R1

That comes out to 20 + 260/21 = 32.381 Ω
 
Edit: Nevermind, I looked at it again and see how R7 can be in series with the new resistor. It is like an optical illusion :)

So what you did looks correct.
 
nickjer said:
Alright, I will say what it looks to me:

((((((R4 + R5) || R6) || (R3 + R7)) + R8) || R2) + R1) = 32 ohms

Your equation looks to depend on R8 being connected to the far node, the junction of R5, R6, R7, and not the node between R3 and R7
 
Yeah, I was wrong. I have always been bad with mazes as well.
 

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