Action and Use of Circuit Components

• A potential divider divides the voltage into smaller parts

  
• To find the voltage (at VOUT) we use the following formula: $V_{Out}\ =$$\ V_{In}\ x\ \left(\frac{R^2}{R_{Total}}\right)$

  
• A variable potential divider (potentiometer) uses a variable resistor; it acts like a potential divider, but you can change output voltage.