What is the formula for calculating the total power in a circuit with multiple loads?

The correct approach to calculating the total power in a circuit with multiple loads is to sum the individual power contributions from each load. This is captured in the formula where you add each power value together: ( P_{\text{total}} = P_1 + P_2 + P_3 ).

In a typical circuit situation, individual loads operate independently of each other, and the total power consumed by the circuit is the cumulative power drawn by each load. Each load contributes to the overall power demand on the circuit, and therefore, you need to account for their combined effect to understand the overall power requirements and ensure that the power source can adequately supply that demand.

In contrast, multiplying the power values or dividing them does not apply in this context, as it doesn’t reflect how electrical loads operate in a parallel or series circuit arrangement effectively. Also controlling the subtraction of one load from another doesn't represent how power consumption works when loads are added to a circuit. Summation is the fundamental principle here, making it crucial for ensuring circuit designs can meet operational requirements efficiently.