Three resistors with magnitudes 2, 4 and 8 ohm are connected in parallel. The equivalent resistance of the system would be

When resistors are connected in parallel, the reciprocal of the equivalent resistance (Rp) is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances [2]. For resistors with magnitudes 2 Ω, 4 Ω, and 8 Ω, the calculation is 1/Rp = 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8. This results in 1/Rp = 7/8, which gives an equivalent resistance of Rp = 8/7 Ω (approximately 1.14 Ω). A fundamental principle of parallel circuits is that the total equivalent resistance is always less than the value of the smallest individual resistor in the combination [1]. Since the smallest resistor in this set is 2 Ω, the equivalent resistance must be less than 2 Ω. This occurs because adding parallel branches provides more paths for current to flow, effectively reducing the overall resistance of the circuit.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: Electricity > Activity 11.6 > p. 186
2. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: Electricity > What you have learnt > p. 192