In a resistor color code, which band position indicates the multiplier?

In a resistor color code, which band position indicates the multiplier?

• A. First
• B. Second
• C. Third
• D. Fourth

Answer: (C)

In resistor color codes, the value is built from three parts: the first two bands give the digits, and the third band is the multiplier (the power of ten that scales those digits). The fourth band, when present, indicates tolerance. So the multiplier is indicated by the third band. For example, if the first two bands read 3 and 3, and the third band is orange (×1,000), the resistance is 33 × 1,000 = 33,000 ohms. Color mappings show multipliers from black ×1 up through violet ×10^9, which is why the third position is the multiplier.

In resistor color codes, the value is built from three parts: the first two bands give the digits, and the third band is the multiplier (the power of ten that scales those digits). The fourth band, when present, indicates tolerance. So the multiplier is indicated by the third band. For example, if the first two bands read 3 and 3, and the third band is orange (×1,000), the resistance is 33 × 1,000 = 33,000 ohms. Color mappings show multipliers from black ×1 up through violet ×10^9, which is why the third position is the multiplier.