19.1.3—C = Q / V, formulas for the combined capacitance of capacitors in series and

For capacitors in parallel, C_total=ΣC because voltage is common; in series, 1/C_total=Σ(1/C) because charge magnitude is common on each capacitor.

Draw the topology first and check bounds: parallel capacitance exceeds the largest branch; series capacitance is below the smallest.

Two equal capacitors C in parallel give 2C, while in series they give C/2.

Capacitors do not follow resistor combination rules automatically; the conserved/shared quantity is different.