Batteries & bulb brightness

All of the batteries in the circuits shown are identical, as are the light bulbs. A student comparing the brightness of the bulbs in these circuits states:

• “Bulbs E and C are the brightest since they have three batteries, then bulbs B and D since they have two batteries, and the least bright one is A, since there is only one battery. The more batteries, the brighter the bulb, and it does not matter how they are connected.”

What, if anything, is wrong with this statement? If something is wrong, explain the error and how to correct it. If the statement is correct, explain why.

Batteries in series

Batteries in parallel

We can conclude that bulb C is the brightest, followed by B, then A, D and E

C > B > A = D = E

The student incorrectly assumed that