Question

A newspaper article reports the results of an election between two candidates. The article says that Smith received 70% of the votes and that Murphy received 1 4 of the votes. A reader writes in to complain that the article cannot be accurate. What reason might the reader have to say this? If all the votes were for Smith or Murphy, then 70% plus % should equal %, but actually equals %.

Answer 1

If all the votes were for Smith or Murphy, then 70% plus 25% should equal 100%, but actually equals 95%.

Explanation:

We are given the following in the question:

Percentage of vote Smith received = 70%

Pars of vote Murphy received =

`(1)/(4)`

Percentage of vote Murphy received =

`(1)/(4)* 100\% = 25\%`

Total percentage of voters =

`70\% + 25\% = 95\%`

Thus, the article is not accurate.

If all the votes were for Smith or Murphy, then 70% plus 25% should equal 100%, but actually equals 95%.