Final answer:
In order to change the top management of the Darkroom Window shade Company, the minimum number of investors required would be three - investors 1, 2, and 3, as together they would exceed the majority share threshold. Investors 1 and 2 alone cannot be certain of getting their way as they do not own a majority of shares.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject in question pertains to the field of Business, with a particular focus on corporate governance and shareholder voting power. The problem presented involves the Darkroom Window shade Company which has 100,000 shares of stock outstanding. Various investors hold different amounts of shares, and the question asks what is the minimum number of investors needed to vote to change the company's top management, and whether investors 1 and 2, holding 20,000 and 18,000 shares respectively, can always get their way in how the company is run if they vote together.
To change the company's top management, a majority of shares need to vote in favor of the change. In this scenario, a majority would be anything over 50,000 shares. By adding up the shares from the largest shareholders, we can deduce the minimum number of investors needed. Investors 1 and 2 hold a collective 38,000 shares, which is not a majority; they need to collaborate with at least investor 3 to surpass the 50,000 threshold. Even when combined, investors 1 and 2 cannot ensure they always get their way, as they still do not make up the majority without additional support from other shareholders.