The Apportionment Problem: The Search for the Perfect Democracy (HiMAP)

A look at the apportionment of the House of Representatives, and how many representatives from each state are sent to Congress. HiMAP Module 8.

HiMAP library now available on CD-ROM product no. 7593

Table of Contents:

PART I: THE HAMILTON METHOD OF APPORTIONMENT
Introduction
Apportioning the Student Council (Activity)
The Goal of Apportionment
Quota
Finding Quota (Activity)
Hamilton Method of Apportionment
Finding Hamilton Apportionments (Activity)
An Unexpected Problem!
The Alabama Paradox
Another Problem! (Activity)
The Population Paradox
Yet Another Problem! (Activity)
The New States Paradox
The Hamilton Method - Summary
Exercises

PART II: DIVISOR METHODS OF APPORTIONMENT
Rounding Off Fractional Parts of Quota
Rounding Off Quota (Activity)
Adjusted Quota
Webster Method of Apportionment
Visualizing Webster's Method
A Webster Apportionment (Activity)
Another Webster Apportionment and Another Flaw (Activity)
Satisfying Quota
Other Divisor Methods
An Adams Apportionment (Activity)
A Jefferson Apportionment (Activity)
The Hill Method of Apportionment
A Hill Apportionment (Activity)
Divisor Methods - Summary
The Apportionment Impossibility Theorem
Exercises