Final answer:
The maximum rated voltage for a 100 ohm 1/4 watt resistor is 5 volts, calculated using the power formula and rearranging it to solve for voltage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum rated voltage for a 100 ohm 1/4 watt resistor can be calculated using the formula for power (P), which is P = V^2/R, where P is power in watts, V is voltage in volts, and R is resistance in ohms. Rearranging the formula to solve for V, we get V = sqrt(P * R). By plugging in the given values (P = 0.25 watts, R = 100 ohms), we find V = sqrt(0.25 watts * 100 ohms), which gives us V = 5 volts. Therefore, the maximum rated voltage for the resistor is 5 volts.