Final answer:
The minimum number of investors needed to vote for a change in the company's top management is three, as they collectively exceed 50% of the shares. Investors 1 and 2, holding 38,000 shares, do not have a majority share and cannot solely dictate the running of the company. option (1)
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the minimum number of investors needed to change the company's top management at The Darkroom Windowshade Company, we should add up the largest shareholders' shares until we pass the 50% threshold of voting power.
- Investor 1: 20,000 shares
- Investor 2: 18,000 shares
- Investor 3: 15,000 shares
- Investor 4: 10,000 shares
Investor 1 and Investor 2 together have a combined total of 38,000 shares. Adding Investor 3’s shares (15,000), we reach 53,000 shares, which is just over 50% of the total shares outstanding (100,000). Thus, the minimum number of investors required to change the top management would be three, assuming they vote unanimously.
When Investor 1 and Investor 2 agree to vote together, they hold 38,000 shares, which is less than the 50,001 shares required for a majority. Therefore, without additional support, they cannot be certain of always getting their way in how the company is run as they do not have the majority share on their own.