In an election contested by two candidates, 1,780 votes were declared invalid. The winning candidate secured 82% of the valid votes and triumphed by a margin of 80 votes. Determine the total number of votes cast in the election.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Given:
Invalid votes = 1780
Valid votes received by the winner = 82%
Valid votes received by the loser = 18%
Difference in votes = 80
Difference = (82% − 18%) × Valid votes
64% × Valid votes = 80
Valid votes = 80 × 100 / 64 = 125
Total votes = Valid votes + Invalid votes = 125 + 1780 = 1905