Question

Explain with diagram what is meant by the "series combination" and "parallel combination" of resistances. In which case the resultant resistance is : (i) less, and (ii) more, than either of the individual resistances?

Answer 1

 

The series resistance is given by R = R₁ + R₂ + R₃ + R₄. Hence, it is more than the individual resistance.
The parallel resistance is given by 1 / R = 1 / R₁ + 1 / R₂ + 1 / R₃ + 1 / R₄. Hence, it is less than the individual resistance.