In an election contested by two candidates, one candidate got 40% of the total votes and still lost by 800 votes, what is the total number of votes cast?
- A2500
- B4000
- C3550
- D1550
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Let the total number of votes cast be V.
The losing candidate got 40% of the total votes.
Therefore, the winning candidate must have received:
100%−40%=60% of the total votes
The difference in percentage between the two candidates is:
60%−40%=20%
Given that the candidate lost by 800 votes:
20% of V=800
100
20
×V=800
5
1
×V=800
V=800×5=4000 votes
The losing candidate got 40% of the total votes.
Therefore, the winning candidate must have received:
100%−40%=60% of the total votes
The difference in percentage between the two candidates is:
60%−40%=20%
Given that the candidate lost by 800 votes:
20% of V=800
100
20
×V=800
5
1
×V=800
V=800×5=4000 votes