Series and Parallel Circuits - Notation

Notation

The value of two components in parallel is often represented in equations by two vertical lines "||", borrowing the parallel lines notation from geometry.


R_\mathrm{eq} = R_1 \| R_2 = {R_1 R_2 \over R_1 + R_2}

This simplifies expressions that would otherwise become complicated by expansion of the terms. For instance, the expression refers to 3 resistors in parallel, while the expanded expression is .

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