A student connects a single resistor of resistance R R\,R in series with a parallel combination of n n\,n identical resistors, each also of resistance RRR, as shown in the circuit diagram below.
The circuit is connected across a power supply of constant potential difference V V\,V with negligible internal resistance.
Which of the following statements correctly describes how the total electrical power P P\,P dissipated by the entire network changes as n n\,n increases?
PPP increases linearly as nnn increases
PPP increases non-linearly as nnn increases
PPP decreases linearly as nnn increases
PPP decreases non-linearly as nnn increases