Lesson 2

THE EQUIVALENT RESISTANCE

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒
Resistors are in series if they are connected end-to-end such that each
resistor carry the same current. There should be no more than two
resistors connected to the same node.

The resistance is the equivalent resistance of the series network. We could

replace the series network across terminals a and b by the equivalent
resistance. From Ohm’s law, we have R=V/I. Therefore,
𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐋
Resistors are in parallel if a constant potential difference is applied across them.
Their end terminals must be connected to the same two nodes or conductors.
With identical resistivities and lengths, we have the following relationship

If the resistivities and lengths are not equal, we can also derive the equation by
considering the current and voltage relationships. By nature, current cannot be
retained at a point because it is a flow of charges. Hence the total current will be
equal to the sum of the individual currents.
𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 − 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐋 𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒
An electric circuit is usually constructed from a combination of simple
series and parallel networks. In one type of analysis, the original circuit is
simplified by replacing series and parallel networks by their equivalents.
The voltages and currents in the original circuit could then be obtained
from an analysis of the equivalent circuits. It is therefore important that we
would be able to recognize both series and parallel networks when they
are part of a more complex circuit.
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Determine the equivalent resistance of the following network with respect
to terminals a and b.

10 Ω 6Ω 4Ω
a b
Determine the equivalent resistance of the following network with respect
to terminals a and b.
a

6Ω 3Ω 2Ω
b
Resistors and are in parallel. The total current drawn from a 30V source is
6A. If the value of the resistor is doubled, the current drops to 4A.
Determine the resistances of and .

equation (1)

equation (2)

Solving simultaneously, and

Determine the equivalent resistance of the following network with respect
to terminals a and b.

a and in series:
and in series:
6Ω 5Ω , , and in parallel:
12 Ω

2Ω 4Ω

b
Determine the equivalent resistance of the following network with respect
to terminals a and b.
12Ω
4Ω
6Ω
2Ω
a

12Ω 9Ω
6Ω
b 18Ω
and in parallel:
and in parallel:

and in series:
and in parallel:

, , , and in series:
𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 − 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒
An electric circuit may contain networks that are neither in series nor in
parallel. Thus, the circuit cannot be simplified using techniques discussed
earlier. In such cases, we may have to replace certain parts of the circuit by
their three-terminal equivalents.
1
1

R1
R12 R 31
R2 R3
R 23
2 3 2 3
 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐘𝐄 : 𝐖𝐘𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀 :

R1 =¿ R12 =¿

R 2=¿ R 23=¿

R 3=¿ R 31=¿