Basic DC Theory BASIC DC CIRCUIT CALCULATIONS The total resistance in a parallel circuit can also be found by using the equation (2-10). (2-10) 1 R_T 1 R₁ 1 R₂ 1 R₃ .... 1 R_N Example 1: Find the total resistance of a 4W, an 8W, and a 16W resistor in parallel (Figure 27). Figure 27    Total Resistance in a Parallel Circuit Solution: 1 R_T 1 R₁ 1 R₂ 1 R₃ 1 R_T 1 4 1 8 1 16 1 R_T 4 16 2 16 1 16 7 16 R_T 16 7 2.29W Note:   Whenever resistors are in parallel, the total resistance is always smaller than any single branch. Rev. 0 Page 33 ES-02