Raul wants to join the directors of World Trade but currently owns no shares in the company. He knows that no one else will help elect him. Assume there are 46,000 shares outstanding at a market price of $12.80 a share. What is the minimum amount Raul must spend to acquire a seat on the board of directors if there are three open seats and straight voting applies?

In order to obtain a seat on the board of directors, Raul must hold more than 50 percent of the total number of outstanding shares if there are three open seats and straight voting occurs.

Total number of shares required = (46,000 ÷ 2) + 1

= 23000 + 1

= 23,001 shares

Market price of share = $ 12.80

Total amount = Total number of shares required × Market price of share

= 23,001 × $ 12.80

= $294,412.8

The amount Raul wants to invest on obtaining a seat on board of directors is $294,412.8