The given circuit consists of resistors of values \(200~\Omega\), \(50~\Omega\), and \(173~\Omega\), with a voltage difference between points \(A\) and \(B\). We need to find the equivalent resistance when:
- (i) \(V_A > V_B\),
- (ii) \(V_A < V_B\).
For this circuit, when \(V_A > V_B\), the resistors will be connected in series, and the equivalent resistance is the sum of the individual resistances. Thus, the equivalent resistance \(R_{\text{eq}}\) will be:
\[
R_{\text{eq}} = 200 + 50 + 173 = 423~\Omega
\]
For the second case, when \(V_A < V_B\), the resistors will be in parallel. The equivalent resistance for parallel resistors is given by the reciprocal sum of the individual resistances:
\[
\frac{1}{R_{\text{eq}}} = \frac{1}{200} + \frac{1}{50} + \frac{1}{173}
\]
Solving this:
\[
\frac{1}{R_{\text{eq}}} = \frac{1}{200} + \frac{1}{50} + \frac{1}{173} = 0.005 + 0.02 + 0.00578 = 0.03078
\]
Thus, the equivalent resistance is:
\[
R_{\text{eq}} = \frac{1}{0.03078} \approx 32.5~\Omega
\]