Expert: Bobby Soltani - 3/22/2006

Question
The local buisness club has 270 members. Its rules state that two-thirds majority is needed to amend the bylaws. A certain faction has determined that it can count on 129 votes.

How many votes does it need to pass it amendments?

Answer
Hi Bill,

First we need to find out what is 2/3 of 270.  To do this, we multiply 270 by 2/3.

270 x 2/3 = 540/3 = 180

That means that 180 votes are needed to amend the bylaws.

Since the faction already has 129 votes, we need to find out how many more they need to get to 180.  We can write this as

129 + x = 180

subtract 129 from both sides

x = 180 - 129

x = 51 votes.

So, it needs 51 more votes to pass the amendments.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby