−1

 1 1 1 
26.54: a) Req (8, 16 , 16 ) =
8 Ω + 16 Ω + 16 Ω
 = 4.0 Ω;
 

−1
 1 1 
Req (9, 18 ) =
9 Ω + 18 Ω
 = 6.0 Ω.
 

So the circuit is equivalent to the one shown below. Thus:

−1
 1 1 
Req =
 6 Ω+ 6 Ω + 20 Ω+ 4 Ω
 =8.0 Ω
 

b) If the current through the 8 - Ω resistor is 2.4 A, then the top branch current is
I (8, 1 6, 1 6) = 2 .4 A + 12 2 . 4A + 12 2 . 4A = 4. 8A .But the bottom branch current is
twice that of the top, since its resistance is half. Therefore the potential of point a relative
to point x is Vax = − IR eq (9, 18 ) = − (9.6 A ) (6.00 Ω) = −58 V.