Answer: 54
Explanation:
Total votes: 240
Votes for the winner: x
Votes for candidate 1: x - 8
Votes for candidate 2: x - 13
Votes for candidate 3: x - 15
Equation to find the amount of votes of the winner (x) is:
240 = x + x - 8 + x - 13 + x - 15
Combine x and x to get 2x.
240=2x−8+x−13+x−15
Combine 2x and x to get 3x.
240=3x−8−13+x−15
Subtract 13 from −8 to get −21.
240=3x−21+x−15
Combine 3x and x to get 4x.
240=4x−21−15
Subtract 15 from −21 to get −36.
240=4x−36
Swap sides so that all variable terms are on the left hand side.
4x−36=240
Add 36 to both sides.
4x=240+36
Add 240 and 36 to get 276.
4x=276
Divide both sides by 4.
x= 4/276
Divide 276 by 4 to get 69.
x=69
Votes for the winner: 69
Votes for candidate 1: 69 - 8 = 61
Votes for candidate 2: 69 - 13 = 56
Votes for candidate 3: 69 - 15 = 54
The candidate that had the lowest number of votes received 54 votes.