Voting numbers

When you vote numbers, the process of extracting the results can vary depending on the system or platform. Generally, the goal is to aggregate the numerical votes in a way that makes sense for the specific use case. Here's an overview of how results might be extracted in different types of systems:

1. Simple Average / Mean

How it works: The most straightforward method is to calculate the average (mean) of all the numerical votes.

Example: If voters are asked to rate something on a scale of 1-10, and the votes are:

6, 7, 8, 9, 10

The result would be calculated as the average: (6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10) / 5 = 8.

Use case: This is often used in surveys, ratings systems (like IMDb movie ratings), and platforms where users provide a score to rate something.

2. Median

How it works: The median is the middle value of the numerical votes when they are sorted in order. If there’s an even number of votes, the median is the average of the two middle numbers.

Example: If the votes are:

6, 8, 7, 9, 10

The median is 8 (the middle value when sorted: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

Use case: The median is useful when you want to minimize the impact of outliers. For example, in a rating system, if some users give very low or very high scores, the median can give a more representative result of the "typical" vote.

3. Mode

How it works: The mode is the number that appears most frequently among the votes.

Example: If the votes are:

8, 8, 9, 7, 7

The mode is 8 and 7, as both appear twice.

Use case: This is helpful when you want to see which number is most popular or most often chosen. It’s common in scenarios where you want to know the most common or frequent choice.

4. Weighted Average

How it works: In some cases, votes may be weighted by factors like the importance of the voter or the number of tokens held (in a governance scenario, for example). A weighted average is calculated by multiplying each vote by its weight and then dividing by the sum of all the weights.

Example: Suppose voters A, B, and C vote with weights 2, 1, and 3, and they vote 6, 8, and 10 respectively:

Weighted Average = (6 * 2 + 8 * 1 + 10 * 3) / (2 + 1 + 3) = (12 + 8 + 30) / 6 = 50 / 6 = 8.33

Use case: This is often used in governance voting systems (like in DAOs) or prediction markets, where each voter might have a different level of influence.

5. Sum or Total

How it works: The sum is the total of all the numerical votes. In cases where a larger value represents a more significant outcome, you might just want to know the total of all votes.

Example: If you're asking voters to contribute to a pool (like in a crowdfunding campaign), the sum of all votes or contributions will be used to determine the total amount raised.

If votes are: 5, 10, 15, 20

The total sum = 5 + 10 + 15 + 20 = 50

Use case: This is used in financial contributions, or situations where you're summing votes to reach a final total, like in auctions or funding goals.

6. Range or Boundaries

How it works: Sometimes, you may need to look at the range of the votes (the difference between the highest and lowest value) or specific boundaries. This method might involve voting on numerical thresholds and then determining if the results fall within certain ranges.

Example: If a community votes on a range for a project deadline, like:

"When should we complete the project?"

Votes are 12, 15, 18, 24, and 30 (all in months).

You may decide the project should be completed when the majority of votes fall within a certain threshold, say within 18 to 24 months.

Use case: This approach is often used in decision-making processes related to timelines, budgets, or goals where the outcome needs to fall within a set range.

7. Plurality / Majority Vote

How it works: In a plurality vote, the number with the highest number of votes wins, even if it’s not a majority (50%+). This is typically used in elections where voters choose between a set of options.

Example: If you ask voters to pick a number between 1 and 5 and their votes are:

1: 3 votes

2: 2 votes

3: 1 vote

4: 2 votes

5: 0 votes

The result would be 1, as it received the most votes (3).

Use case: Plurality voting is used in many election-style voting systems, especially where there are multiple options but not necessarily a majority.

8. Cumulative Voting

How it works: Voters can allocate multiple votes to one or more numbers. This means that the voting system allows voters to assign several votes to a single number or distribute them across different numbers.

Example: If a voter has 5 votes and the numbers to vote on are 1, 2, and 3, they can choose to give all their votes to 3, or split them like 3 votes to 3 and 2 votes to 1.

Use case: This method is sometimes used in decision-making contexts (like corporate boards, election systems, or resource allocation) where voters want to express stronger preferences for certain options.

9. Approval Voting

How it works: Voters vote by selecting one or more numbers they approve of, but not ranking them. The option with the most approvals (not necessarily the highest numerical score) wins.

Example: If voters can select any numbers they like, and the votes are:

1: 5 votes

2: 3 votes

3: 4 votes

The result might be based on the total number of selections per number.

Use case: This system is used in situations where multiple options can be approved, but no single option needs to be ranked first (e.g., decision-making in groups or committee selections).

10. Time Splitting rule

In the time splitting rule, when we vote numbers, all the voted numbers are considered as valid numbers in the appropriate time window. For example: in case 70% of the voters voted 0 and 30% of the voters voted 26, we create a time window less equal than the human life time, lets say 10 years, and for the first 7 years the 0 number is applied, then for the next 3 years the 26 number is applied. Of course when voting numbers, an important thing is that the range should always be bounded. It is forbitten when voting numbers to vote infinitive, and of course the maximum or the minimum number should be rational and based on reality.

The same applies to the ideas. In the time splitting rule, when we vote ideas, all voted ideas are considered as valid ideas in the appropriate time window. For example: in case 70% of the voters voted for idea A and 30% of the voters voted for idea B, we create a time window less equal than the human life time, lets say 10 years, and for the first 7 years the idea A is applied, then for the next 3 years the idea B is applied. Of course when we vote for an idea, an important thing is that the idea should always be applicable. It is forbitten when voting for ideas to vote an idea that it is impossible to be applied, and whoever proposes an idea, should always also propose the implementation of it within a finite period of time.

Summary The way results are extracted from numerical votes depends on the nature of the vote and the goal of the decision-making process. Some common methods include:

Average: For general ratings or preferences.

Median: To avoid outliers influencing the outcome.

Mode: To find the most common choice.

Weighted Average: To account for different levels of influence (e.g., token-based voting).

Sum: To aggregate contributions or votes in a total.

Plurality: To choose the most popular number when there are multiple options.

If you're implementing a voting system or designing one, you'll need to choose the method that best fits your purpose, whether its choosing a single best option, calculating a general consensus, or maximizing a certain outcome.