<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
Olli Salmi wrote<BR>
<BR>
"A quote from "A review of the ERS97 rules" by B A Wichmann, Voting <BR>
matters, Issue 10, March 1999<BR>
<BR>
"5. The calculation of the quota and the recording of<BR>
transfers appears to give the impression of<BR>
undertaking computations to one hundredth of the<BR>
vote. However, this is not achieved, since that<BR>
accuracy requires that the transfer values are<BR>
computed to a greater accuracy. Indeed, if p votes are<BR>
transferred, then there is a truncation error of at most<BR>
p/100, which implies that transfer values should be<BR>
computed to about (number of digits in total votes)+1<BR>
digits. I do not believe that an arithmetic approximation<BR>
which can lose a whole vote is acceptable<BR>
since the voter could reasonably equate the loss to his/<BR>
her vote. Unfortunately, the rules depend upon<BR>
(number of papers)*(transfer value) in hundredths of<BR>
a vote, so it is difficult to increase the accuracy<BR>
without complexities elsewhere. Hence I conclude<BR>
that this problem is inherent in this type of rule and<BR>
could be seen as a defect in ERS97."<BR>
<BR>
Could somebody please explain this to me?<BR>
Why is "about (number of digits in total votes)+1" implied? What are <BR>
the complexities elsewhere?"<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
What Brian Wickham was trying to do here ( and I admit to not finding this the most interesting article ever in Voting Matters ) was suggest how ERS97 (the current version of Newland-Britton) could be rewritten in terms of the drafting rules of the ISO (International Standardisation Organisation). I believe he worked for ISO at one point.<BR>
<BR>
The point he was trying to make is that ERS97 gives the impression that vote totals are accurate to 0.01 votes and that in fact they are not.<BR>
<BR>
Take the following example: <BR>
<BR>
A surplus of 20 votes is to be transferred. This surplus arises from a candidate achieving a quota after having 45 votes transferred to him/her. Each vote is transferred at a value of 0.44 to 2 decimal places to the next candidate. 19.8 votes are transferred not 20, 0.2 votes are lost due to rounding to 2 dp. In order to obtain accurate totals to 2 dp individual votes must be taken to 3,4 or more dp.( 0.4444 X 45 = 19.998).<BR>
<BR>
Are you glad you asked this question ?<BR>
<BR>
David Gamble<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
</FONT></HTML>