Every digital multimeter can measure three basic things—current, voltage, and __________.

Every digital multimeter can measure three basic things—current, voltage, and __________.

• A. Resistance
• B. Capacitance
• C. Inductance
• D. Power

Answer: (A)

The three basic measurements a standard digital multimeter can directly provide are current, voltage, and resistance. Voltage is read by connecting the meter across two points so it can sense the potential difference without significantly loading the circuit. Current is measured by placing the meter in series so the same current flows through the meter; internally it uses a low-value shunt to convert that current into a measurable voltage. Resistance is determined by passing a small test current through the unknown component and measuring the resulting voltage, then using Ohm’s law (R = V/I) to calculate the resistance. Because of this relationship, resistance is a fundamental quantity that the meter can determine directly, alongside current and voltage. Capacitance and inductance are specialized measurements that some meters can perform, but they’re not universal basic functions. Power isn’t typically a direct stand-alone measurement on a basic DMM; you’d calculate it as P = V × I (and account for power factor in AC circuits), which is different from measuring resistance directly.

The three basic measurements a standard digital multimeter can directly provide are current, voltage, and resistance. Voltage is read by connecting the meter across two points so it can sense the potential difference without significantly loading the circuit. Current is measured by placing the meter in series so the same current flows through the meter; internally it uses a low-value shunt to convert that current into a measurable voltage. Resistance is determined by passing a small test current through the unknown component and measuring the resulting voltage, then using Ohm’s law (R = V/I) to calculate the resistance. Because of this relationship, resistance is a fundamental quantity that the meter can determine directly, alongside current and voltage.

Capacitance and inductance are specialized measurements that some meters can perform, but they’re not universal basic functions. Power isn’t typically a direct stand-alone measurement on a basic DMM; you’d calculate it as P = V × I (and account for power factor in AC circuits), which is different from measuring resistance directly.