To find the equivalent resistance of the combination of resistors shown across the 28-V battery by the method of possibly repeated applications of combining resistors in series and /or combining resistors in parallel,the first step would be which of the following?
A) Combine the two 10 Ω in parallel since they can be done in your head.
B) Combine,in series,the two 3-Ω resistors and the 4-Ω resistor in the right-hand branch of the circuit.
C) Combine the seven resistors (two 5 Ω,three 3 Ω,one 2 Ω and one 4 Ω)in the outer loop of the circuit in series.
D) This problem cannot be done by combining series and parallel resistors.

Question

To find the equivalent resistance of the combination of resistors shown across the 28-V battery by the method of possibly repeated applications of combining resistors in series and /or combining resistors in parallel,the first step would be which of the following? 
A) Combine the two 10 Ω in parallel since they can be done in your head. 
B) Combine,in series,the two 3-Ω resistors and the 4-Ω resistor in the right-hand branch of the circuit. 
C) Combine the seven resistors (two 5 Ω,three 3 Ω,one 2 Ω and one 4 Ω)in the outer loop of the circuit in series. 
D) This problem cannot be done by combining series and parallel resistors.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first step should be to simplify the circuit by combining resistors in series and/or parallel. Option A is a valid step but it does not simplify the circuit further. Option C combines all resistors in series which makes the problem more complicated. Therefore, choice B is the best as it combines resistors in series and reduces the circuit to a simpler form. Choice D is not valid as the problem clearly asks for the use of series and parallel combinations.

To Find the Equivalent Resistance of the Combination of Resistors