how does adding resistors make resistance go DOWN

Exam question

If a number of resistors are connected in parallel, the total resistance is

A.smaller than the lowest.Correct
B.the same as the lowest.
C.greater than the lowest.

Explanation

Resistors in parallel give a total smaller than the lowest single resistor.

Leon

asked · 19 Sep 2026

Author

ok this is messing with my head. so we did series circuits and resistance obviously adds up, more resistors = more total resistance, makes sense. then we get to parallel and apparently its the opposite, more resistors = LESS total resistance and its actually less than even your smallest resistor by itself. like if i have three resistors and just add a fourth one in parallel the total resistance goes down? that feels backwards to me can someone explain why that even happens

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