Question

Show how you would connect three resistors, each of resistance 6 Ω, so that the combination has a resistance of (i) 9 Ω, (ii) 4 Ω.

Answer 1

If we connect the resistors in series, then the equivalent resistance will be the sum of the resistors, i.e., 6 Ω + 6 Ω + 6 Ω = 18 Ω, which is not desired. If we connect the resistors in parallel, then the equivalent resistance will be

Hence, we should either connect the two resistors in series or parallel.

(i) Two resistors in parallel

Two 6 Ω resistors are connected in parallel. Their equivalent resistance will be

The third 6 Ω resistor is in series with 3 Ω. Hence, the equivalent resistance of the circuit is 6 Ω + 3 Ω = 9 Ω.

(ii) Two resistors in series

Two 6 Ω resistors are in series. Their equivalent resistance will be the sum

The third 6 Ω resistor is in parallel with 12 Ω. Hence, equivalent resistance will be

Therefore, the total resistance is.