a) 12000

b) 16000

c) 18850

d) 20000

Correct answer is: b) 16000

Explanation

Let, The total number of votes 'x' .
Given that 15\% of voters did not vote.
\therefore The number of votes cast = 85\% of 'x' , which is :
\rightarrow\left(x\times\large\frac{85}{100}\right)
\therefore 0.85x .
According to the question,
The winning candidate received 62.5\% votes and won by 3400 votes.
\therefore The candidate who lost got \left(100\%-62.5\%\right)=37.5\% votes.
Thus, (62.5 - 37.5)\% of 0.85x = 3400 .
Therefore, \large\frac{25}{100} \times \large\frac{85x}{100}\normalsize = 3400 .
So, x=\left(3400\times\large\frac{100}{25}\times\large\frac{100}{85}\right) .
Hence, x = 16000 .
Ans: The total number of votes is 16000.