How is total resistance calculated in a series circuit?

In a series circuit, total resistance is calculated by adding all the individual resistances together. This is because, in a series configuration, the current that flows through each component is the same, and the total voltage across the circuit is the sum of the individual voltages across each resistor.

When you add the resistances, you create a cumulative effect that increases the overall opposition to the flow of current in the circuit. This is represented mathematically as R_total = R1 + R2 + R3 + ..., where R1, R2, R3, etc., are the individual resistances of the components in the series.

In contrast, multiplying all individual resistances together does not apply to series circuits, as it would not accurately reflect how the resistors affect the circuit's total resistance. Subtracting the smallest resistance from the largest also does not yield total resistance and does not reflect the relationship between resistances in series. Lastly, the formula R = V/I expresses Ohm’s Law, which relates voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) but does not directly address how to calculate total resistance specifically in a series circuit. Thus, adding the individual resistances is the correct method to determine the total resistance in a