How do you calculate total resistance in a series circuit?

In a series circuit, the total resistance is calculated by adding together the resistance values of each component. This is due to the nature of how series circuits function; the current that flows through each resistor is the same, and each resistor contributes to the overall opposition to that current.

When resistors are connected in series, the resistance of each individual resistor accumulates to provide a total resistance that the current must overcome. For example, if you have resistors of 3 ohms, 5 ohms, and 2 ohms in series, the total resistance would be calculated as 3 + 5 + 2, resulting in a total of 10 ohms.

This method is specific to series circuits and reflects the cumulative effect of resistors acting together in a single path. The other methods mentioned, such as multiplication or averaging, do not apply to series circuits and would yield incorrect results.