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 in the House shall, as far as possible, represent the same number of Electors.

Now, whatever be the quota of recorded votes, which is necessary and sufficient, before the poll is closed, to make it certain that A will be returned, that is the number of Electors whom A will represent in the House. He cannot represent less, for this number is necessary; and he cannot represent more, for it is sufficient, so that all additional votes are superfluous. Let us call this necessary and sufficient quota Q.

Now, in order that Q may be sufficient, it must not be possible for m other Candidates to obtain Q votes each; i.e. (m + 1). Q must be greater than e; i.e. Q must be greater than $e⁄m + 1$. Also, in order that Q may be necessary, it must be the whole number next greater than this fraction. Hence, approximately, Q = $e⁄m + 1$; i.e. m =$e⁄Q$ − 1.

This, then, is the formula required. An example will make it clear. Suppose the universal quota to be 6,000: then a District containing 50,000 Electors would have 7 Members assigned to it.