The total current in a series-parallel circuit is calculated by what formula?

In a series-parallel circuit, the total current can be accurately calculated using the formula that states the applied voltage is divided by the total resistance of the circuit. This relationship is derived from Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to voltage (V) divided by resistance (R).

When analyzing a series-parallel circuit, it is essential to first determine the total resistance as it combines both series and parallel components. After obtaining the total resistance, applying the formula with the known voltage allows for calculating the total current flowing through the circuit.

This approach is crucial because it streamlines the process of analyzing complex circuits where multiple paths for current can exist, ensuring that understanding the overall behavior of the circuit is made simpler without needing to calculate currents in individual branches first. Choosing to multiply voltage by resistance, multiply currents, or simply summing currents would not yield the correct calculation of the total current in this context.