how to make a voltage divider

Can anyone please tell me how I can make a simple voltage divider? Apparently I will be needing a 10:1 and a 20:1 divider. A step by step explanation of the process would be so appreciated! I am proficient with a soldering iron and working with most through hole components so I am fairly sure I can build the damn thing if I just knew how. Thank you in advance for any help.

AC or DC? (I'm assuming this is NOT for 120V AC etc, but some SAFE voltage!) If so, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_divider. Then find the current from V=IR => I=V/R Then each resistor's power from P=VI & V=IR => P=IIR (ie, I x I x R). All units are volts, amps, ohms & watts. Else volts, mA, k-Ohms & mW.

here is a link to what I am trying to do. http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/diyma-tutorials/51435-setting-gains-w-o-oscilloscope.html

So would this device work.....?

as in one resister? smarta** j/k. But seriously I can accomplish what I want to do with one friggin resister?

A potentiometer is a variable resistor is a voltage divider. What impedance (resistance) do you need? Or what is the circuit's input/output impedance. EG - if it's 10kR (10 k-Ohm = 10,000 Ohm) and you need 10:1 out, you could have two resistors: 9kR on top, 1kR on the bottom. Or you could have a 10k pot (potentiometer; and linear!) dialed at 10% of it's sweep. A pot is aka a volume control. In the above diagram, the (say) 10V input is connected to gnd (bottom) and the top resistor (ie, from the left). The 1V output is take from gnd (bottom) and the center-tap - ie, the bottom resistor out to the right...

Actually I think I finally found what I was looking for:

But you said 10:1 - not 11:1? Funny though - otherwise it looks so similar to everything above. Maybe that's just me..... Maybe you were right, I am smart... Remember to crank the amp up. And use 1/2W resistors, they can be more stable. And will last twice as long as 1/4W resistors in this case.