#5 - In a poll of eligible voters conducted on the eve of a mayoral election, more of those polled

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

Resolve the Paradox, Except, Numbers and Percentages. The correct answer choice is (A).

Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C):

Answer choice (D):

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[joliekwok8@gmail.com]

Hi,

I'm a bit confused as to why B would contribute to the resolution? If more people polled favored Panitch than any of the other candidates, that means among the three, wouldn't Mulhern withdrawing from the race not have any effect? Those people who favored Panitch would still favor Panitch whether or not Mulhern withdrew or not, right?

I see why A is the correct answer but I'm just confused as to why B would be the wrong choice.

Thank you!

[Adam Tyson]

But what if Mulhern's supporters, upon hearing the news that morning, went to the polls and voted for Yeung? One of three candidates dropping out after the poll was conducted could drastically change the outcome! If that isn't clear, here's one illustration for you:

Panitch has 40% support, and is conservative.

Mulhern has 30%, and is liberal.

Yeung has 30%, and is moderate.

Mulhern, the liberal, drops out. Wouldn't you expect the liberal voters to go for the moderate candidate, rather than the conservative one? Maybe Yeung gets 60% of the votes, while Panitch gets 40%. That's a pretty comfortable margin!