Two candidates contested in an election. One of them secured 62.5% of the total votes and won by 996 votes. What is 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. 3984.
Let the total number of votes cast be x.
One candidate secured 62.5% of the vote.
Then, another candidate will get (100 - 62.5)% = 37.5% of the vote.
So, (62.5x/100) - (37.5x/100) = 996
⇒ 25x/100 = 996
⇒ x/4 = 996
⇒ x = 996 × 4 = 3984
Therefore, the total number of votes cast is 3984.