Question

In an election between two candidates, a candidate who got 30% of the total votes is defeated by 15000 votes. The number of votes obtained by the winning candidate is:

• A. 26,250
• B. 25,250
• C. 24,250
• D. 26,130

Hint:

In a two-candidate election, the difference in their percentage points directly corresponds to the margin of victory in votes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Calculate candidate vote shares. Losing candidate: 30% of total votes. Winning candidate: 70% of total votes.

Step 2: Determine the vote share difference (margin). Margin = 70% - 30% = 40%.

Step 3: Relate the margin percentage to the actual vote difference. The margin of victory (40%) equals 15,000 votes.

Step 4: Compute the winning candidate's votes. Find 70% of total votes. Proportion: If 40% = 15,000 votes, Then 1% = \( \frac{15,000}{40} = 375 \) votes. So, 70% = \( 70 \times 375 = 26,250 \) votes. The winning candidate received 26,250 votes.