Q:

alternative configuration for an overheating resistor

Background:
In doing some experimenting with low-voltage home lighting, I have an 
application that requires a resistor (or else LED lights become damaged) and I have also, through trial-and-error, discovered the correct resistance to use in this application.  
Everything works - except - the single resistor I am using is overheating.  
I know how to use a multimeter, so I can measure the resistances involved, but I bought these resistors in bulk, so I have no idea of the specific stats of what power level they are rated for, etc.
I have some very basic-level understanding of electronics, and a theory on how to avoid this problem so that I can use my setup safely.  
Question:
Would it be a viable strategy to replace my single resistor with multiple resistors connected in series, where the sum of the resistances add up to the value of the original resistor?
If I am understanding this correctly, even though the current (which in my head I imagine as number of electrons per second) flowing would be the same, the fact that there is a lower "voltage drop" across each individual resistor would reduce the power dissipation across each resistor, and result in less heat being produced?
Thanks for your answers and I will be happy make edits to my question to put it in the form where it can be more helpful to others in the future.

A:

You are talking about splitting the power dissipated by the resistor across multiple resistors. This is a fairly normal and valid approach.
You actually have multiple choices of ways to do that, three of which are shown below.

Two resistors, half the value connected in series.
Two resistors double the value connected in parallel.
Two strings of two resistors of the same value in series, connected in parallel. (Splits the power over 4)

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab
However, I am concerned this is really an X-Y problem, and your resistor approach may not be the best one. Especially if you are dissipating that much heat through them.

