As shown in the figure, the resistance of a galvanometer can be found by the half-deflection method. Here the resistance is adjusted such that when the key is closed the deflection in the galvanometer becomes half of the value as compared to when is open. Half-deflection is obtained at and thus the galvanometer resistance is found to be . In this half-deflection condition the current (in mA) through the resistor is:

Key open. Only and are in the loop, so .
Key closed. is in parallel with . Equivalent resistance of that parallel combination:
.
Total current from the battery: .
Current through the galvanometer (current-divider): .
Half-deflection condition. gives
.
Battery current with key closed. A mA.
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