If resistor R(5) is disconnected at the junction of R(4) and R(3) as shown, what will the ohmmeter read?

If resistor R(5) is disconnected at the junction of R(4) and R(3) as shown, what will the ohmmeter read?

• A. 10 ohms
• B. 3 ohms
• C. 0 ohms
• D. Infinite resistance

Answer: (B)

The ohmmeter shows the resistance of whatever path between its probes remains intact when you remove R5 from that junction. With R5 disconnected, the only path between the meter’s leads is through R3 and R4 in series, so their resistances simply add: R3 + R4. In this scenario that total is 3 ohms, so the meter reads 3 ohms. The other options would correspond to other configurations (an open circuit would be infinite, a direct short would be 0, or a different combination could give 10 ohms), but they don’t apply once R5 is out of the circuit.

The ohmmeter shows the resistance of whatever path between its probes remains intact when you remove R5 from that junction. With R5 disconnected, the only path between the meter’s leads is through R3 and R4 in series, so their resistances simply add: R3 + R4. In this scenario that total is 3 ohms, so the meter reads 3 ohms. The other options would correspond to other configurations (an open circuit would be infinite, a direct short would be 0, or a different combination could give 10 ohms), but they don’t apply once R5 is out of the circuit.