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A an election, a total of 240 votes were cast for four candidates. The winner won by a margin of 8, 13, and 15 votes over the other three candidates. What was the lowest number of votes received by a candidate?

Sagot :

Answer: 54

Step-by-step 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.