Hand pointing to a circuit diagram on a whiteboard, demonstrating how to calculate voltage, current, and power in a resistor network.
A hand holding a black marker points to a handwritten circuit diagram on a whiteboard, illustrating resistors, voltage, and current calculations with the text "BREAK IT DOWN. BUILD IT UP."
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Step-by-step solution for: How to Solve Any Series and Parallel Circuit Problem
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: How to Solve Any Series and Parallel Circuit Problem
Let's solve the circuit problem step by step. The goal is to determine the voltage across, current through, and power dissipated by each resistor in the given circuit.
---
We have a 18V battery connected in series with resistors arranged in a combination of series and parallel. Here’s the layout:
- A 100Ω resistor in series with the battery.
- Then, a junction (J₁) splits into two paths:
- One path has a 300Ω resistor going straight down.
- Another path goes through a 50Ω, then a 200Ω, then a 250Ω resistor — but note that the 200Ω is in parallel with the 300Ω? Wait — let's clarify.
But wait — from the "1st redraw" shown in the image, we can infer the correct topology.
---
The "1st redraw" shows:
- 100Ω → J₁
- From J₁:
- One branch: 50Ω + 250Ω = 300Ω
- Other branch: 200Ω
- These two branches are in parallel between J₁ and J₂.
- Then, from J₂, a 150Ω resistor connects back to the negative terminal of the battery.
Also, there’s a 0Ω resistor shown at the bottom — likely just a wire (short), so it doesn’t affect resistance.
So, the correct equivalent circuit is:
```
18V ──[100Ω]──┬───────────────┐
│ │
├─[50Ω]─[250Ω]──┘
│ │
└─[200Ω]────────┘
│
[150Ω]
│
GND
```
Wait — actually, looking at the original diagram, the 150Ω is in the bottom branch, not after J₂.
Let’s reconstruct carefully.
---
From the original sketch:
- Battery: 18V
- Series with 100Ω → then to junction J₁
- From J₁:
- Downward: 300Ω → to junction J₃
- Right: 50Ω → then 200Ω → then 250Ω → to junction J₂
- But also: from J₁ to J₂ via 300Ω? No — wait.
Actually, looking again:
- There's a 300Ω resistor between J₁ and J₃
- There's a 50Ω from J₁ to some node, then 200Ω to J₂, then 250Ω to J₂?
- And 150Ω from J₃ to J₂?
Wait — here's a better interpretation based on the "1st redraw":
In the "1st redraw", the author shows:
- 100Ω → J₁
- From J₁:
- One path: 50Ω + 250Ω = 300Ω
- Other path: 200Ω
- Both go to J₂
- Then from J₂ → 150Ω → back to battery negative
So this suggests:
> The 300Ω in the original is not present — instead, the 50Ω + 250Ω in series form one branch, and the 200Ω forms another branch — both in parallel between J₁ and J₂.
And the 300Ω might be a mistake or mislabeling.
But wait — in the original diagram, there is a 300Ω resistor from J₁ to J₃, and a 150Ω from J₃ to J₂.
Also, there's a 0Ω resistor from J₂ to J₃ — meaning J₂ and J₃ are the same point (shorted).
Ah! That’s key.
---
There is a 0Ω resistor (a short) connecting J₂ and J₃.
So, J₂ and J₃ are at the same potential — they are electrically the same node.
Therefore, we can combine them.
Now, let’s redraw the circuit correctly.
---
Let’s label nodes clearly:
- Battery: 18V positive → 100Ω → J₁
- From J₁:
- Path 1: 300Ω → J₃
- Path 2: 50Ω → 200Ω → 250Ω → J₂
- But J₂ and J₃ are connected by a 0Ω (short), so J₂ ≡ J₃
- So, from J₁:
- One branch: 300Ω → J₃
- Another branch: 50Ω + 200Ω + 250Ω = 500Ω → J₂ = J₃
- Then from J₃ (which is J₂): 150Ω → back to battery negative
So the total circuit is:
```
18V ──[100Ω]──┬───────────────┐
│ │
├─[300Ω]─────────┘
│ │
└─[50Ω+200Ω+250Ω=500Ω]──┘
│
[150Ω]
│
GND
```
So now, the two resistors (300Ω and 500Ω) are in parallel, and that parallel combination is in series with the 100Ω and 150Ω.
---
Let’s define:
- R₁ = 100Ω (left)
- R₂ = 300Ω (top branch)
- R₃ = 500Ω (bottom branch: 50 + 200 + 250)
- R₄ = 150Ω (right)
---
R₂ and R₃ are in parallel:
\[
R_{\text{parallel}} = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{300} + \frac{1}{500}} = \frac{1}{\frac{5 + 3}{1500}} = \frac{1}{\frac{8}{1500}} = \frac{1500}{8} = 187.5\,\Omega
\]
---
Total circuit resistance:
\[
R_{\text{total}} = R_1 + R_{\text{parallel}} + R_4 = 100 + 187.5 + 150 = 437.5\,\Omega
\]
---
\[
I_{\text{total}} = \frac{V}{R_{\text{total}}} = \frac{18}{437.5} = 0.04114\,\text{A} \approx 41.14\,\text{mA}
\]
---
#### Across R₁ (100Ω):
\[
V_{100} = I_{\text{total}} \times 100 = 0.04114 \times 100 = 4.114\,\text{V}
\]
#### Across R₄ (150Ω):
\[
V_{150} = I_{\text{total}} \times 150 = 0.04114 \times 150 = 6.171\,\text{V}
\]
#### Voltage across parallel combination:
\[
V_{\text{parallel}} = V_{\text{total}} - V_{100} - V_{150} = 18 - 4.114 - 6.171 = 7.715\,\text{V}
\]
Alternatively:
\[
V_{\text{parallel}} = I_{\text{total}} \times R_{\text{parallel}} = 0.04114 \times 187.5 = 7.715\,\text{V}
\]
✔ Matches.
---
Now, split the current at J₁.
Current through 300Ω:
\[
I_{300} = \frac{V_{\text{parallel}}}{300} = \frac{7.715}{300} = 0.02572\,\text{A} = 25.72\,\text{mA}
\]
Current through 500Ω (i.e., 50+200+250):
\[
I_{500} = \frac{7.715}{500} = 0.01543\,\text{A} = 15.43\,\text{mA}
\]
Check: \(25.72 + 15.43 = 41.15\) mA ≈ total current ✔
---
Now compute voltages across individual resistors.
#### For 300Ω:
- Voltage: 7.715 V (same as parallel branch)
- Current: 25.72 mA
- Power: \(P = V \times I = 7.715 \times 0.02572 \approx 0.198\,\text{W}\)
#### For 50Ω:
- Current: 15.43 mA
- Voltage: \(V = I \times R = 0.01543 \times 50 = 0.7715\,\text{V}\)
- Power: \(P = I^2 R = (0.01543)^2 \times 50 \approx 0.0119\,\text{W}\)
#### For 200Ω:
- Same current: 15.43 mA
- Voltage: \(0.01543 \times 200 = 3.086\,\text{V}\)
- Power: \(P = I^2 R = (0.01543)^2 \times 200 \approx 0.0476\,\text{W}\)
#### For 250Ω:
- Same current: 15.43 mA
- Voltage: \(0.01543 \times 250 = 3.8575\,\text{V}\)
- Power: \(P = I^2 R = (0.01543)^2 \times 250 \approx 0.0595\,\text{W}\)
Check: 0.7715 + 3.086 + 3.8575 = 7.715 V ✔
#### For 100Ω:
- Voltage: 4.114 V
- Current: 41.14 mA
- Power: \(P = I^2 R = (0.04114)^2 \times 100 \approx 0.169\,\text{W}\)
#### For 150Ω:
- Voltage: 6.171 V
- Current: 41.14 mA
- Power: \(P = I^2 R = (0.04114)^2 \times 150 \approx 0.253\,\text{W}\)
---
| Resistor | Voltage (V) | Current (A) | Power (W) |
|---------|-------------|-------------|-----------|
| 100Ω | 4.114 | 0.04114 | 0.169 |
| 300Ω | 7.715 | 0.02572 | 0.198 |
| 50Ω | 0.7715 | 0.01543 | 0.0119 |
| 200Ω | 3.086 | 0.01543 | 0.0476 |
| 250Ω | 3.8575 | 0.01543 | 0.0595 |
| 150Ω | 6.171 | 0.04114 | 0.253 |
---
We successfully broke down the circuit using series/parallel simplification, applied Ohm’s Law, and calculated all required values.
Key steps:
1. Recognized the 0Ω resistor shorts J₂ and J₃ → same node.
2. Identified 300Ω and 500Ω (50+200+250) in parallel.
3. Combined resistances step by step.
4. Found total current.
5. Split current in parallel branches.
6. Calculated voltage, current, and power for each resistor.
This method — break it down, build it up — is essential for complex circuits.
Let me know if you want a visual diagram or simulation!
---
🔧 Given Circuit:
We have a 18V battery connected in series with resistors arranged in a combination of series and parallel. Here’s the layout:
- A 100Ω resistor in series with the battery.
- Then, a junction (J₁) splits into two paths:
- One path has a 300Ω resistor going straight down.
- Another path goes through a 50Ω, then a 200Ω, then a 250Ω resistor — but note that the 200Ω is in parallel with the 300Ω? Wait — let's clarify.
But wait — from the "1st redraw" shown in the image, we can infer the correct topology.
---
✔ Step 1: Understand the Redrawn Circuit
The "1st redraw" shows:
- 100Ω → J₁
- From J₁:
- One branch: 50Ω + 250Ω = 300Ω
- Other branch: 200Ω
- These two branches are in parallel between J₁ and J₂.
- Then, from J₂, a 150Ω resistor connects back to the negative terminal of the battery.
Also, there’s a 0Ω resistor shown at the bottom — likely just a wire (short), so it doesn’t affect resistance.
So, the correct equivalent circuit is:
```
18V ──[100Ω]──┬───────────────┐
│ │
├─[50Ω]─[250Ω]──┘
│ │
└─[200Ω]────────┘
│
[150Ω]
│
GND
```
Wait — actually, looking at the original diagram, the 150Ω is in the bottom branch, not after J₂.
Let’s reconstruct carefully.
---
🧩 Reconstructing the Original Circuit
From the original sketch:
- Battery: 18V
- Series with 100Ω → then to junction J₁
- From J₁:
- Downward: 300Ω → to junction J₃
- Right: 50Ω → then 200Ω → then 250Ω → to junction J₂
- But also: from J₁ to J₂ via 300Ω? No — wait.
Actually, looking again:
- There's a 300Ω resistor between J₁ and J₃
- There's a 50Ω from J₁ to some node, then 200Ω to J₂, then 250Ω to J₂?
- And 150Ω from J₃ to J₂?
Wait — here's a better interpretation based on the "1st redraw":
In the "1st redraw", the author shows:
- 100Ω → J₁
- From J₁:
- One path: 50Ω + 250Ω = 300Ω
- Other path: 200Ω
- Both go to J₂
- Then from J₂ → 150Ω → back to battery negative
So this suggests:
> The 300Ω in the original is not present — instead, the 50Ω + 250Ω in series form one branch, and the 200Ω forms another branch — both in parallel between J₁ and J₂.
And the 300Ω might be a mistake or mislabeling.
But wait — in the original diagram, there is a 300Ω resistor from J₁ to J₃, and a 150Ω from J₃ to J₂.
Also, there's a 0Ω resistor from J₂ to J₃ — meaning J₂ and J₃ are the same point (shorted).
Ah! That’s key.
---
🔍 Key Insight: 0Ω Resistor
There is a 0Ω resistor (a short) connecting J₂ and J₃.
So, J₂ and J₃ are at the same potential — they are electrically the same node.
Therefore, we can combine them.
Now, let’s redraw the circuit correctly.
---
✔ Corrected Circuit Topology
Let’s label nodes clearly:
- Battery: 18V positive → 100Ω → J₁
- From J₁:
- Path 1: 300Ω → J₃
- Path 2: 50Ω → 200Ω → 250Ω → J₂
- But J₂ and J₃ are connected by a 0Ω (short), so J₂ ≡ J₃
- So, from J₁:
- One branch: 300Ω → J₃
- Another branch: 50Ω + 200Ω + 250Ω = 500Ω → J₂ = J₃
- Then from J₃ (which is J₂): 150Ω → back to battery negative
So the total circuit is:
```
18V ──[100Ω]──┬───────────────┐
│ │
├─[300Ω]─────────┘
│ │
└─[50Ω+200Ω+250Ω=500Ω]──┘
│
[150Ω]
│
GND
```
So now, the two resistors (300Ω and 500Ω) are in parallel, and that parallel combination is in series with the 100Ω and 150Ω.
---
✔ Step-by-Step Solution
Let’s define:
- R₁ = 100Ω (left)
- R₂ = 300Ω (top branch)
- R₃ = 500Ω (bottom branch: 50 + 200 + 250)
- R₄ = 150Ω (right)
---
🔹 Step 1: Combine Parallel Resistors
R₂ and R₃ are in parallel:
\[
R_{\text{parallel}} = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{300} + \frac{1}{500}} = \frac{1}{\frac{5 + 3}{1500}} = \frac{1}{\frac{8}{1500}} = \frac{1500}{8} = 187.5\,\Omega
\]
---
🔹 Step 2: Total Resistance
Total circuit resistance:
\[
R_{\text{total}} = R_1 + R_{\text{parallel}} + R_4 = 100 + 187.5 + 150 = 437.5\,\Omega
\]
---
🔹 Step 3: Total Current from Battery
\[
I_{\text{total}} = \frac{V}{R_{\text{total}}} = \frac{18}{437.5} = 0.04114\,\text{A} \approx 41.14\,\text{mA}
\]
---
🔹 Step 4: Voltage Drops
#### Across R₁ (100Ω):
\[
V_{100} = I_{\text{total}} \times 100 = 0.04114 \times 100 = 4.114\,\text{V}
\]
#### Across R₄ (150Ω):
\[
V_{150} = I_{\text{total}} \times 150 = 0.04114 \times 150 = 6.171\,\text{V}
\]
#### Voltage across parallel combination:
\[
V_{\text{parallel}} = V_{\text{total}} - V_{100} - V_{150} = 18 - 4.114 - 6.171 = 7.715\,\text{V}
\]
Alternatively:
\[
V_{\text{parallel}} = I_{\text{total}} \times R_{\text{parallel}} = 0.04114 \times 187.5 = 7.715\,\text{V}
\]
✔ Matches.
---
🔹 Step 5: Currents in Parallel Branches
Now, split the current at J₁.
Current through 300Ω:
\[
I_{300} = \frac{V_{\text{parallel}}}{300} = \frac{7.715}{300} = 0.02572\,\text{A} = 25.72\,\text{mA}
\]
Current through 500Ω (i.e., 50+200+250):
\[
I_{500} = \frac{7.715}{500} = 0.01543\,\text{A} = 15.43\,\text{mA}
\]
Check: \(25.72 + 15.43 = 41.15\) mA ≈ total current ✔
---
🔹 Step 6: Voltages Across Each Resistor
Now compute voltages across individual resistors.
#### For 300Ω:
- Voltage: 7.715 V (same as parallel branch)
- Current: 25.72 mA
- Power: \(P = V \times I = 7.715 \times 0.02572 \approx 0.198\,\text{W}\)
#### For 50Ω:
- Current: 15.43 mA
- Voltage: \(V = I \times R = 0.01543 \times 50 = 0.7715\,\text{V}\)
- Power: \(P = I^2 R = (0.01543)^2 \times 50 \approx 0.0119\,\text{W}\)
#### For 200Ω:
- Same current: 15.43 mA
- Voltage: \(0.01543 \times 200 = 3.086\,\text{V}\)
- Power: \(P = I^2 R = (0.01543)^2 \times 200 \approx 0.0476\,\text{W}\)
#### For 250Ω:
- Same current: 15.43 mA
- Voltage: \(0.01543 \times 250 = 3.8575\,\text{V}\)
- Power: \(P = I^2 R = (0.01543)^2 \times 250 \approx 0.0595\,\text{W}\)
Check: 0.7715 + 3.086 + 3.8575 = 7.715 V ✔
#### For 100Ω:
- Voltage: 4.114 V
- Current: 41.14 mA
- Power: \(P = I^2 R = (0.04114)^2 \times 100 \approx 0.169\,\text{W}\)
#### For 150Ω:
- Voltage: 6.171 V
- Current: 41.14 mA
- Power: \(P = I^2 R = (0.04114)^2 \times 150 \approx 0.253\,\text{W}\)
---
✔ Final Table: Summary
| Resistor | Voltage (V) | Current (A) | Power (W) |
|---------|-------------|-------------|-----------|
| 100Ω | 4.114 | 0.04114 | 0.169 |
| 300Ω | 7.715 | 0.02572 | 0.198 |
| 50Ω | 0.7715 | 0.01543 | 0.0119 |
| 200Ω | 3.086 | 0.01543 | 0.0476 |
| 250Ω | 3.8575 | 0.01543 | 0.0595 |
| 150Ω | 6.171 | 0.04114 | 0.253 |
---
🔚 Conclusion
We successfully broke down the circuit using series/parallel simplification, applied Ohm’s Law, and calculated all required values.
Key steps:
1. Recognized the 0Ω resistor shorts J₂ and J₃ → same node.
2. Identified 300Ω and 500Ω (50+200+250) in parallel.
3. Combined resistances step by step.
4. Found total current.
5. Split current in parallel branches.
6. Calculated voltage, current, and power for each resistor.
This method — break it down, build it up — is essential for complex circuits.
Let me know if you want a visual diagram or simulation!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of parallel circuit problem worksheet.