Valid votes in an election — Percentages Aptitude Question
Valid votes in an election: In an election between two candidates, 20% of the votes polled were invalid. Answer and worked solution on CodeKairo.
- Topic: Percentages
- Section: Quantitative Aptitude
- Difficulty: Medium
- Time target: 75 seconds
Question
In an election between two candidates, 20% of the votes polled were invalid. The winner secured 55% of the valid votes. If 7,500 votes were polled in all, how many valid votes did the other candidate get?
Options
- 2,700
- 3,000
- 3,300
- 3,375
Show the answer and the worked solution
Correct answer: A. 2,700
Worked solution
- Valid votes = 80% of 7,500 = 6,000.
- The other candidate got 100% − 55% = 45% of the valid votes.
- 45% of 6,000 = 2,700.
Answer: 2,700.
The idea
Percentages of percentages must be applied in sequence to the right base. Taking 45% of the 7,500 polled (3,375) is the standard trap, and it is offered here.
Shortcut. Combine the fractions first: 80% × 45% = 36% of all votes polled, and 36% of 7,500 = 2,700.
Common trap. "3,375" — taking 45% of all 7,500 votes polled, ignoring the 20% that were invalid.