Electricity - Resistors 3

We have formulas for a group of resistors all in series, and a formula for a group of resistors all in parallel. What happens if there are more than two resistors, but they are not all in series or in parallel?

A Mix Of Both

If the resistors are a mix of series and parallel relationships, the problem needs to be broken down into smaller pieces. The "breaking-down" pattern uses the following two procedures:

1. If two or more resistors in a group are clearly in series with each other:

• Use the "In Series" formula to work out the total resistance of the group;
• Replace the group with a single resistor of the calculated resistance.

2. If two or more resistors in a group are clearly in parallel with each other:

• Use the "In Parallel" formula to work out the total resistance of the group;
• Replace the group with a single resistor of the calculated resistance.

Keep using these two procedures until the circuit simplifies down to one resistor.