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The total resistance in a circuit with two parallel resistors is 2 ohms and [tex]R_1[/tex] is 6 ohms. Using the equation for [tex]R_2[/tex] in terms of [tex]R_T[/tex] and [tex]R_1[/tex], what is [tex]R_2[/tex]?

[tex]R_2[/tex] is ______ ohms.



Answer :

To find the resistance [tex]\( R_2 \)[/tex] in a circuit with parallel resistors, we start with the equation for the total resistance in a parallel circuit. The formula for the total resistance [tex]\( R_T \)[/tex] in parallel is given by:

[tex]\[ \frac{1}{R_T} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} \][/tex]

Given the total resistance [tex]\( R_T \)[/tex] is 2 ohms and [tex]\( R_1 \)[/tex] is 6 ohms, we can rearrange the equation to solve for [tex]\( R_2 \)[/tex]:

First, we isolate [tex]\(\frac{1}{R_2}\)[/tex] by subtracting [tex]\(\frac{1}{R_1}\)[/tex] from both sides:

[tex]\[ \frac{1}{R_2} = \frac{1}{R_T} - \frac{1}{R_1} \][/tex]

Next, plug in the values of [tex]\( R_T \)[/tex] and [tex]\( R_1 \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ \frac{1}{R_2} = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{6} \][/tex]

To subtract these fractions, we need a common denominator, which in this case is 6. So, we rewrite the fractions:

[tex]\[ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{6} \][/tex]

Now our equation looks like:

[tex]\[ \frac{1}{R_2} = \frac{3}{6} - \frac{1}{6} \][/tex]

Subtract the fractions:

[tex]\[ \frac{1}{R_2} = \frac{2}{6} \][/tex]

This simplifies to:

[tex]\[ \frac{1}{R_2} = \frac{1}{3} \][/tex]

Now, to find [tex]\( R_2 \)[/tex], we take the reciprocal of both sides:

[tex]\[ R_2 = 3 \][/tex]

Therefore, [tex]\( R_2 \)[/tex] is approximately 3 ohms.

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