In a college election, a candidate secures 62% of the votes and wins by a majority of 144 votes. What is the total number of votes polled?

Introduction / Context: Majority in a two-candidate election equals the difference between the winner’s and loser’s shares of the total votes. When percentages are given, the majority is simply (winner% − loser%) of total. Use that to solve for the total number of votes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Winner gets 62% of total votes V.
• Loser gets the remaining 38% (assuming only two candidates).
• Majority = 144 votes.

Concept / Approach: Majority = (62% − 38%) of V = 24% of V. Therefore, 0.24V = 144. Solving yields V. This avoids separately computing each candidate’s votes first.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check: Winner votes = 0.62*600 = 372; loser votes = 228; difference = 372 − 228 = 144. Correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong: 800, 925, 1200 produce majority values of 192, 222, and 288 respectively, not 144.

Common Pitfalls: Misreading 62% as the majority itself, or forgetting that majority is a percentage of total, not of the winner’s votes.

Final Answer: 600