An increase or decrease of 3 dB will result in what effect on power?

The correct answer is that an increase or decrease of 3 dB results in a doubling or halving of the power. This stems from the relationship between decibels and power calculations. A change of 3 dB represents a power ratio of 2:1.

When you increase power by 3 dB, you effectively double the power level. Conversely, a decrease of 3 dB means the power level is halved. This principle is fundamental in fields like telecommunications and audio engineering, where understanding how decibel levels correspond to physical power changes is crucial.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the mathematical relationship of decibels to power. For example, saying there is no change in power would disregard the nature of decibels as a logarithmic measurement that indicates either an increase or a decrease. Additionally, minimal increases or the idea of tripling or quartering power do not align with the defined 3 dB threshold, which is strictly tied to doubling or halving the power.