WGU D771 Quantitative Literacy Study Guide
(2026/2027 Syllabus)
This guide is organized by topic area to align with the official WGU competencies. Use it
to review core concepts and practice applying them to realistic problems.
Section 1: Foundational Math & Algebra
Q1: In the linear equation y=mx+by=mx+b, what does the variable bb represent?
ANSWER ✓ The y-intercept, which is the starting value or the point where the line
crosses the y-axis when x=0x=0.
Q2: In the linear equation y=mx+by=mx+b, what does the variable mm represent?
ANSWER ✓ The slope, which represents the constant rate of change.
Q3: A company charges a $2000 setup fee plus $30 per person for an event. Write a
linear function to represent the total cost, yy, for xx number of people.
ANSWER ✓ y=30x+2000y=30x+2000
Q4: What is the difference between an equation and an expression?
ANSWER ✓ An equation is a mathematical statement that shows two expressions are
equal, connected by an equal sign (=). An expression is a mathematical phrase without
an equal sign.
Q5: Solve for xx: 2x+3=72x+3=7.
ANSWER ✓ x=2x=2
Q6: What is a variable in mathematics?
ANSWER ✓ A symbol, often a letter like xx, that represents an unknown value.
, Q7: What is a coefficient?
ANSWER ✓ A number multiplied by a variable in an algebraic expression (e.g.,
in 5x5x, 55 is the coefficient).
Q8: Simplify the expression: 4(3a−2)+64(3a−2)+6.
ANSWER ✓ 12a−212a−2
Q9: Solve for xx: 5x+7=2x+195x+7=2x+19.
ANSWER ✓ x=4x=4
Q10: Factor the quadratic expression: x2+5x+6x2+5x+6.
ANSWER ✓ (x+2)(x+3)(x+2)(x+3)
Section 2: Linear and Exponential Models
Q11: Define linear growth.
ANSWER ✓ A pattern of growth that increases by the same fixed amount each step.
Q12: Define exponential growth.
ANSWER ✓ A pattern of growth that increases by the same fixed percentage each step.
Q13: A study tracks a plant's growth. It increases by 1.5 inches every week. If the plant
starts at 4 inches tall, which linear model represents its height, hh, after ww weeks?
ANSWER ✓ h=1.5w+4h=1.5w+4
Q14: The population of a town is modeled by P=12,500(1.02)tP=12,500(1.02)t,
where tt is years after 2020. What is the annual growth rate?
ANSWER ✓ 2% (The growth factor is 1.02, so the rate
is 1.02−1=0.02=2%1.02−1=0.02=2%).
(2026/2027 Syllabus)
This guide is organized by topic area to align with the official WGU competencies. Use it
to review core concepts and practice applying them to realistic problems.
Section 1: Foundational Math & Algebra
Q1: In the linear equation y=mx+by=mx+b, what does the variable bb represent?
ANSWER ✓ The y-intercept, which is the starting value or the point where the line
crosses the y-axis when x=0x=0.
Q2: In the linear equation y=mx+by=mx+b, what does the variable mm represent?
ANSWER ✓ The slope, which represents the constant rate of change.
Q3: A company charges a $2000 setup fee plus $30 per person for an event. Write a
linear function to represent the total cost, yy, for xx number of people.
ANSWER ✓ y=30x+2000y=30x+2000
Q4: What is the difference between an equation and an expression?
ANSWER ✓ An equation is a mathematical statement that shows two expressions are
equal, connected by an equal sign (=). An expression is a mathematical phrase without
an equal sign.
Q5: Solve for xx: 2x+3=72x+3=7.
ANSWER ✓ x=2x=2
Q6: What is a variable in mathematics?
ANSWER ✓ A symbol, often a letter like xx, that represents an unknown value.
, Q7: What is a coefficient?
ANSWER ✓ A number multiplied by a variable in an algebraic expression (e.g.,
in 5x5x, 55 is the coefficient).
Q8: Simplify the expression: 4(3a−2)+64(3a−2)+6.
ANSWER ✓ 12a−212a−2
Q9: Solve for xx: 5x+7=2x+195x+7=2x+19.
ANSWER ✓ x=4x=4
Q10: Factor the quadratic expression: x2+5x+6x2+5x+6.
ANSWER ✓ (x+2)(x+3)(x+2)(x+3)
Section 2: Linear and Exponential Models
Q11: Define linear growth.
ANSWER ✓ A pattern of growth that increases by the same fixed amount each step.
Q12: Define exponential growth.
ANSWER ✓ A pattern of growth that increases by the same fixed percentage each step.
Q13: A study tracks a plant's growth. It increases by 1.5 inches every week. If the plant
starts at 4 inches tall, which linear model represents its height, hh, after ww weeks?
ANSWER ✓ h=1.5w+4h=1.5w+4
Q14: The population of a town is modeled by P=12,500(1.02)tP=12,500(1.02)t,
where tt is years after 2020. What is the annual growth rate?
ANSWER ✓ 2% (The growth factor is 1.02, so the rate
is 1.02−1=0.02=2%1.02−1=0.02=2%).
