Apportionment Methods and Quota Rules

The video tutorial explains Webster's method of apportionment, a technique for distributing seats or resources based on population. It compares Webster's method to Jefferson's method, highlighting the rounding of quotas to the nearest whole number. The tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for applying Webster's method, including calculating the standard divisor and adjusting it to achieve the desired allocation. Two examples demonstrate the method in practice: apportioning legislative seats and salespeople. The video concludes with a discussion on the method's bias towards larger populations and its adherence to the quota rule, referencing the Balinski-Young impossibility theorem.

What is the main difference between Webster's Method and Jefferson's Method?

• Webster's Method uses a larger divisor.

• Webster's Method rounds quotas to the nearest whole number.

• Webster's Method drops the decimal parts of quotas.

• Webster's Method always increases the divisor.

What is the first step in applying Webster's Method?

• Adjust the divisor.

• Round the quotas.

• Determine the standard divisor.

• Calculate the total population.

In Webster's Method, what is the term for the number obtained by dividing the total population by the number of representatives?

• Quota

• Standard Divisor

• Initial Allocation

• Modified Divisor

During the first example, what was the standard divisor calculated for apportioning 44 seats?

• 35,954.5455

• 36,000.0000

• 34,000.0000

• 35,000.0000

In the first example, what was the final apportionment for the county with a quota of approximately 10.152?

• 9

• 10

• 11

• 12

In the second example, what was the initial total number of salespeople calculated before adjusting the divisor?

• 15

• 14

• 17

• 16

What adjustment was made to the divisor in the second example to achieve the correct number of salespeople?

• Increased to 90

• Increased to 92

• Decreased to 88

• Decreased to 85

What is a potential bias of Webster's Method mentioned in the video?

• Bias against states with large populations

• Bias in favor of states with large populations

• Bias against small states

• Bias in favor of small states

According to the Balinski-Young Impossibility Theorem, what is a consequence of any apportionment method that always follows the quota rule?

• It will always be accurate.

• It will be subject to paradoxes.

• It will always be simple to apply.

• It will never be biased.

What does the quota rule state regarding the final number of representatives a state should receive?

• It should be double the state's quota.

• It should be within one of the state's quota.

• It should be exactly equal to the quota.

• It should be half of the state's quota.