For convenience, we will call the "objects", SEATS and the "units" among which the objects are
divided, STATES.
TERMINOLOGY
The Standard Divisor (SD) is the average number of people per seat over the entire population
The Standard Quota (SQ) for each state is the number of seats a state would be entitled to if
states could receive a fractional part of a seat.
A Modified Divisor (MD) is a divisor (relatively near the Standard Divisor) chosen in an attempt
to make the "Rounded Quotas" exactly equal to the number of seats to be apportioned.
The Modified Quota (MQ) for each state is the same as the Standard Quota except that the
calculation is done using the Modified Divisor instead of the Standard Divisor.
A Rounded Quota is a Quota that has been rounded either to the nearest whole number below it
(Lower Quota) or above it (Upper Quota).
An apportionment method that always gives each state a number of seats equal to the Upper or
Lower Quota (of its Standard Quota) is called a Quota Rule.
If it is possible for an apportionment method to give a state a number of seats that is not equal to
the Upper or Lower Quota (of its Standard Quota), then that apportionment method is said to
violate quota.
Violating Quota
Paradoxes
The Alabama Paradox: An increase in the total number of seats to be apportioned causes a state
to lose a seat.
The New States Paradox: Adding a new state with its fair share of seats affects the number of
seats apportioned to other states.
Hamilton’s Method (see procedure below): The only method we study that doesn’t use Modified
Divisors/Quotas. It does not violate quota but is susceptible to the Alabama, Population, and
New States paradox.
Jefferson’s Method (see procedure below): One of what are often called "divisor" methods
(methods that use Modified Divisors/Quotas). It, like all divisor methods, violates quota but is
not susceptible to any of the paradoxes above.
Adams’ Method (see procedure below): Another "divisor" method (method that uses Modified
Divisors/Quotas). It, like all divisor methods, violates quota but is not susceptible to any of the
paradoxes above.
Webster’s Method (see procedure below): Another "divisor" method (method that uses Modified
Divisors/Quotas). It, like all divisor methods, violates quota but is not susceptible to any of the
paradoxes above.
Huntington-Hill Method (see procedure below): A final "divisor" method (method that uses
Modified Divisors/Quotas). It, like all divisor methods, violates quota but is not susceptible to
any of the paradoxes above.
Round Quotas DOWN to the nearest whole number (Lower Quota): used by Hamilton’s Method
and Jefferson’s Method
Round Quotas UP to the nearest whole number (Upper Quota): used by Adams' Method
Round Quotas based on the arithmetic mean (UQ+LQ)/2: used by Webster’s Method
Round Quotas based on the geometric mean : used by the Huntington-Hill Method
CARRYING OUT AN APPORTIONMENT PROCEDURE