Final answer:
The total resistance in a circuit with resistors in series and parallel can be calculated by first determining the combined resistance of parallel resistors and then adding it to the resistance of the resistors in series.
Step-by-step explanation:
Finding Total Resistance in Circuits
To find the total resistance of a combination of resistors, we must consider their arrangement in the circuit. If resistors are in parallel, the total resistance is found using a specific equation for parallel resistors. However, when resistors are in series, the total resistance is simply the sum of the individual resistances.
In the case where R₂ and R₃ are in parallel, we first calculate their combined resistance (Rp) using the parallel resistance formula. Once Rp is calculated, it is then treated as a single resistor in series with R₁. We can find the total resistance (Rtot) by adding the resistance of R₁ to Rp.
For resistors in parallel:
Rp = (1/R₂ + 1/R₃)∑
For resistors in series:
Rtot = R₁ + Rp
By entering the known values for R₂ and R₃ into the parallel formula, we get Rp. Next, we add the resistance value of R₁ to find the equivalent total resistance (Rtot).