Parallel DC Circuits Practice Worksheet With Answers

This problem is an exercise in estimation, and algebraic equation manipulation. Estimation will reveal which resistors should be combined together, and algebraic manipulation will give the exact values needed.

One of the more difficult visualization tasks for new students of electronics is translating schematic diagrams to physical layouts, and visa-versa. This, sadly, is a skill that I don’t see emphasized nearly enough in most basic electronics curricula. It seems the majority of class time is spent mathematically analyzing useless resistor networks, and not enough time is invested building students’ spatial relations skills.

While series connections are very easy to visualize on terminal strips, parallel connections are more difficult. Work with your students through this question helping those who lack the innate spatial relations ability to see the solution quickly.

A “trick” I often use to help students build this skill is to have them first draw a nice, clean schematic diagram. Then they over-trace each wire in the diagram as they draw it in the pictorial diagram. In this way, they make sure not to overlook connections in the pictorial diagram.

This is a fine example of a question with multiple correct answers. No matter how many unique combinations students invent, they may all be verified by a few simple Ohm’s Law calculations.