WOLFRAM|DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

Modified Divisor Methods

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example
one
modified divisor d
78.4
apportionment method
Webster
Jefferson
Adams
Huntington-Hill
Apportion 20 seats using Webster
State
Population
Standard quota
Modified quota
Apportioned seats
A
310
4.052
3.95408
4
B
320
4.183
4.08163
4
C
440
5.752
5.61224
6
D
460
6.013
5.86735
6
Total
1530
20
20
Standard quota
Apportioned seats
Apportionment involves dividing discrete objects among various groups according to some plan. For example, congressional seats are apportioned among the various states based on their populations. In modified divisor methods, the apportionment plan is to find a modified divisor
d
so that, when each state population is divided by
d
and rounded to a whole number, the rounded values add up to the correct number of seats.
Adjust the value of the modified divisor
d
to get the correct total number of seats. Compare the apportionments from the different methods, paying attention to the effect on large versus small population states.