Final answer:
A quorum requires a majority of members to be present for a meeting to conduct business. In legislative terms, specifically Congress, a quorum is a majority of the members, and without it, normal proceedings may be delayed but certain actions can be taken to compel attendance.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a quorum of five members is required to attend any meeting for the purpose of conducting business, that means the law requires a majority to participate. In the context of legislative bodies, such as Congress, a quorum is typically defined as a majority of the members. Thus, to do business or to make decisions that are binding, there must be enough members present to constitute a majority. This does not necessarily mean that all members must vote, but they must be present and capable of voting.
According to Section 5, Clause 1, each House of Congress is vested with the power to judge the qualifications of its members and a majority of members must be present to form a quorum. If the number present is less than the majority required for a quorum, the members present can adjourn from day to day and may use measures to compel the attendance of absent members. It's also important to note that both the House and Senate are required to keep and publish a journal of their proceedings, and members' votes may be recorded upon the request of a minority of those present.