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?

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.

hi,

you half the rectangle that you ae asking about so then you would see the scale factor of 1/2 the one u have selected, the one on top is half.

hope this !