P 3.6-13 Find the R_eq at terminals a–b in Figure P 3.6-13. Also determine i, i₁, and i₂.

Answer: R_eq = 8 Ω, i = 5 A, i₁ = 5/3 A, i₂ = 5/2 A

Figure P 3.6-13

So we have two pairs of resistors in parallel. The pair of 2 Ω resistors becomes an equivalent 1 Ω resistor. The 12 Ω and the 6 Ω become

So we have now 4 resistors or effective resistors in series and the total resistance between a and b is

So i can be found from

i₁ comes from current division

i₂ also comes from current division. Since the two resistors are equal though, the current will split evenly, so

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This page last updated on January 21, 2019