In the provided circuit diagram, ammeter A₁ shows a reading of 2.4 A . Ignoring the resistances of the ammeters, determine what ammeters A₂ and A₃ will read.

Step-by-step solution

Let the current through the 20 resistor be I₁ and through the 30 resistor be I₂ . Given that the reading of ammeter A₁ is I₁ = 2.4 A . Since the 20 and 30 resistors are connected in parallel, the potential difference across them is the same. V = I₁ 20 = 2.4 20 = 48 V The reading of ammeter A₂ is the current I₂ through the 30 resistor: I₂ = V 30 = 48 30 = 1.6 A The reading of ammeter A₃ is the total current in the circuit, which is the sum of the currents in the parallel branches: I₃ = I₁ + I₂ = 2.4 + 1.6 = 4.0 A Th