can resistors work like addition or are they more like golf (a 5 iron and a 4 iron wont equal a 9 iron)

ok, here's the question. I need a 30K ohm resistor, can I just use 3 10K ohm resistors one after the other?

thanks.

 

yes, in series(end to end, in a line)

 

yes, in series(end to end, in a line)

thank you.

 

Resistors are additive/subtractive. In series they increase in value, whereas in parallel they decrease in value.

Series:
Rt = R1 + R2 + ...Rn
30K = 10K + 10K + 10K
30K = 5K + 10K + 15K

Parallel:
Rt = 1 / (1/R1 + 1/R2 + ...1/Rn)
30K = 1 / (1/90K + 1/90K + 1/90K)
2.73K = 1 / (1/5K + 1/10K + 1/15K)

 

For quick reference:

Series Circuits

Parallel Circuits

Dave