In a college union election, a party won 36% of 2,50,000 votes in 2025 and 42% of 3,00,000 votes in 2026. By what percentage did the number of votes it won increase?

6%Correct answerYour answer

16\frac{2}{3}\%

Correct answerYour answer20%Correct answerYour answer40%Correct answerYour answer

Show the answer and explanation

CorrectNot quiteAnswer D

Correct answer: D

2025 votes = $36\% \text{ of } 2{,}50{,}000 = 90{,}000$ .
2026 votes = $42\% \text{ of } 3{,}00{,}000 = 1{,}26{,}000$ .
Increase = 36,000, so percentage increase = $\frac{36000}{90000} \times 100 = 40\%$ .

Worth noting

The share rose by 6 percentage points (a $16\frac{2}{3}\%$ rise in share) and turnout rose 20%, but the question asks about the NUMBER of votes, which needs both.

Concept: Percentage change when both the rate and the base change
Typical timeTypical: 80 s
Your timeYours: —

The rule this testsPercentage change

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Ten questions from Percentages, at your own pace.

In a college union election, a party won 36% of 2,50,000 votes in 2025 and 42% of 3,00,000 votes in 2026. By what percentage did the number of votes it won increase?

Explanation