What is the total resistance of four 6-ohm resistors in parallel?

What is the total resistance of four 6-ohm resistors in parallel?

• A. 3 ohms
• B. 1.5 ohms
• C. 6 ohms
• D. 0.75 ohms

Answer: (B)

When resistors are in parallel, the current has multiple paths, so the overall resistance is reduced compared with any single resistor. For identical resistors, you can use the sum of reciprocals: 1/R_total = 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6. This equals 4/6, which simplifies to 2/3. Invert to find R_total: R_total = 1 / (2/3) = 3/2 = 1.5 ohms. So the total resistance of four 6-ohm resistors in parallel is 1.5 ohms, which is smaller than any individual 6-ohm resistor.

When resistors are in parallel, the current has multiple paths, so the overall resistance is reduced compared with any single resistor. For identical resistors, you can use the sum of reciprocals: 1/R_total = 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6. This equals 4/6, which simplifies to 2/3. Invert to find R_total: R_total = 1 / (2/3) = 3/2 = 1.5 ohms. So the total resistance of four 6-ohm resistors in parallel is 1.5 ohms, which is smaller than any individual 6-ohm resistor.