Chapter 4.4, Problem 59SB

Resistance in Parallel Circuits From Ohm’s Law for circuits, it follows that the total resistance $R_{tot}$ of two components hooked in parallel is given by the equation

$R_{tot}\text{ = }\frac{R_1{R}_2}{R_1\text{ + }{R}_2}$

where $R_1$ and $R_2$ are the individual resistances.

a. Let ohms, and graph $R_{tot}$ as a function of $R_2$.

b. Find and interpret any asymptotes of the graph obtained in part (a).

c. If $R_2\text{ = 2}\sqrt{R_1}$, what value of R1 will yield an $R_{tot}$ of 17 ohms?