What is the total resistance of a circuit with R1 of 12 ohms and R2 of 6 ohms?

To determine the total resistance in the circuit with two resistors, R1 and R2, we need to know how these resistors are arranged. If R1 and R2 are arranged in series, the total resistance is simply the sum of the individual resistances:

Total Resistance (R_total) = R1 + R2.

In this case, that would be 12 ohms + 6 ohms = 18 ohms.

If R1 and R2 are in parallel, the formula for total resistance is different from that for series. The total resistance for resistors in parallel is given by:

1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2.

Using the values provided, the calculation would be as follows:

1/R_total = 1/12 + 1/6.

To find a common denominator (which is 12), we convert the second term:

1/R_total = 1/12 + 2/12 = 3/12.

Then, we invert to find R_total:

R_total = 12/3 = 4 ohms.

Therefore, this calculation suggests that if the resistors are in parallel, the total resistance would indeed be 4 ohms. This aligns with