Three resistors of 20 Ω, 5 Ω, and 2 Ω are connected in parallel. Their total resistance is

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Multiple Choice

Three resistors of 20 Ω, 5 Ω, and 2 Ω are connected in parallel. Their total resistance is

Explanation:
When resistors are in parallel, you add their conductances (the reciprocals of the resistances) and then take the reciprocal of that sum to get the total resistance. Compute the sum of reciprocals: 1/20 + 1/5 + 1/2 = 1/20 + 4/20 + 10/20 = 15/20 = 3/4. The total resistance is the reciprocal of that: 1 ÷ (3/4) = 4/3 Ω. So the equivalent resistance is 4/3 ohms, which is smaller than the smallest individual resistance, as expected for parallel connections.

When resistors are in parallel, you add their conductances (the reciprocals of the resistances) and then take the reciprocal of that sum to get the total resistance.

Compute the sum of reciprocals: 1/20 + 1/5 + 1/2 = 1/20 + 4/20 + 10/20 = 15/20 = 3/4.

The total resistance is the reciprocal of that: 1 ÷ (3/4) = 4/3 Ω.

So the equivalent resistance is 4/3 ohms, which is smaller than the smallest individual resistance, as expected for parallel connections.

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