Which of the following statements about parallel circuits is true?

The statement that the total current is equal to the sum of the currents through each branch is correct. In a parallel circuit, each component is connected directly across the power source, which means each branch has the same voltage. The current flowing through each branch can vary depending on the resistance of the components connected in that branch.

According to Kirchhoff's Current Law, the total current entering a junction (in this case, the point where the branches split) is equal to the total current leaving that junction. Therefore, if you add up the currents flowing through each of the parallel branches, this will equal the total current supplied by the power source.

In contrast, the other statements do not accurately describe the behavior of parallel circuits. In a parallel arrangement, voltage does not divide equally among components unless all resistances are identical, which is not a requirement in parallel circuits. The total resistance in a parallel circuit is calculated using a formula that involves the reciprocals of each branch's resistance, and it is always less than the smallest branch resistance, rather than equal to the highest branch resistance. Lastly, the current is not the same in every branch; it can differ based on the individual resistances of each branch, aligning with the principle of conservation of charge.