Twenty votes are cast. How many are needed for a majority?

• A. 10
• B. 11
• C. 9
• D. 12

Answer: (B)

A majority means more than half of the votes. When there are twenty votes in total, the halfway point sits in the middle. The minimum number of votes needed to have a majority is the smallest amount that exceeds that middle point. In other words, you must have the count that is just above half. Any number less than or equal to half isn’t a majority, and any larger number that is not the smallest above half still results in a majority but isn’t the minimal majority. So the correct choice is the option that represents that smallest majority above the halfway point.