At an election, a candidate secures 40% of the total votes but is defeated by the only other candidate by 300 votes .find out the total number of votes polled.
X votes.
x+300 Votes.
Total = x + x+300 = 2x+300.
x/(2x+300) = 0.4
x = 0.8x + 120
0.2x = 120.
X = 600.
Total = 2x+300 = 2*600 + 300 = 1500 votes.
To find the total number of votes polled, we need to consider the information given:
1. The candidate secured 40% of the total votes.
2. The other candidate defeated the first candidate by 300 votes.
Let's work step by step to find the total number of votes polled:
Step 1: Let's assume the total number of votes polled is 'x'.
Step 2: The candidate secured 40% of the total votes. So, the number of votes secured by the first candidate is (40/100) * x, which can also be written as (2/5) * x.
Step 3: The other candidate defeated the first candidate by 300 votes. So, the votes secured by the other candidate is [(2/5) * x] + 300.
Step 4: Since the total number of votes should add up to 'x', we can write the equation:
[(2/5) * x] + [(2/5) * x + 300] = x
Step 5: Simplify the equation:
[(2/5) * x] + [(2/5) * x + 300] = x
(4/5) * x + 300 = x
Multiply both sides by 5 to eliminate the denominator:
4x + 1500 = 5x
1500 = 5x - 4x
1500 = x
Therefore, the total number of votes polled is 1500.