In a series circuit with three resistors, what is the formula for calculating total resistance?

In a series circuit, the total resistance is calculated by simply adding the individual resistances of each component in the circuit. This is because, in a series setup, the current has only one path to follow, and it encounters each resistor one after the other. The voltage across the entire circuit is the sum of the voltages across each resistor, leading to the formula for total resistance being straightforward: the sum of the individual resistances.

Thus, the formula RT = R1 + R2 + R3 accurately represents how the resistors combine in a series arrangement. Each resistor's contribution to the total resistance must be accounted for, as they all add together to impede the flow of current. Having this understanding is essential in circuit analysis, as it affects how energy is distributed within the circuit.