Correct answer: R/4
Resistance of a wire is given by R = ρL/A, where L is the length and A is the cross-sectional area. When the wire is melted and recast to half its length, its volume remains constant, so the cross-sectional area doubles. Substituting L' = L/2 and A' = 2A into the formula, the new resistance becomes R' = ρ(L/2)/(2A) = R/4.