In an election contested by two candidates, one candidate got 25% of the total votes and still lost by 20,000 votes. Find the total number of votes cast? (All votes are valid.)
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1 i.e. 40000.
Let total votes = x
Votes received by losing candidate = 25% of x = (25/100) × x = 0.25x
Then, votes received by winning candidate = 0.25x + 20,000
Since total votes = 0.25x + (0.25x + 20,000) = 0.5x + 20,000
So,
⇒ x = 0.5x + 20,000
⇒ 0.5x = 20,000
⇒ x = = 40,000