In the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama and John McCain together received 538 electoral votes. Obama received 192 more votes than McCain. How many votes did each candidate receive?

Answer 1

Let B = Obama's votes

J = McCain's votes

Then B + J = 538 or B + J = 538

and B = J + 192 B - J = 192

Then 2B = 730 or B = 365

and J = B - 192 = 173