Question

eds electric is trying to determine if a homeowners toaster is drawing too much current. in a parallel circuit, the total circuit current equals the sum of the individual currents. the total current of a parallel circuit containing a refrigerator and toaster is 4\frac{3}{5} amps. if the refrigerators current is 1\frac{4}{5} amps, find the current of the toaster. do not give your answer as an improper fraction. give your answer as mixed number or proper fraction in lowest terms. do not include the amps.

Explanation:

Step1: Define variables

Let \( I_{total} = 4\frac{3}{5} \), \( I_{refrig} = 1\frac{4}{5} \), \( I_{toaster} \) be the toaster's current.

Step2: Use parallel circuit current rule

\( I_{total} = I_{refrig} + I_{toaster} \implies I_{toaster} = I_{total} - I_{refrig} \)

Step3: Substitute values and subtract

\( I_{toaster} = 4\frac{3}{5} - 1\frac{4}{5} = (4 - 1) + (\frac{3}{5} - \frac{4}{5}) = 3 - \frac{1}{5} = 2\frac{4}{5} \) (Wait, correction: 4 - 1 = 3, 3/5 - 4/5 = -1/5, so 3 - 1/5 = 2 + 1 - 1/5 = 2 + 4/5 = 2 4/5? No, 4 3/5 is 23/5, 1 4/5 is 9/5. 23/5 - 9/5 = 14/5 = 2 4/5. Yes.)

Answer:

2 4/5