WGU D771 Quantitative Literacy | OA | Objective Assessment |
Questions and Answers |Latest 2025/26 Update | 100% Correct.
Question 1
Which of the following best describes a mathematical equation?
A) A math phrase without an equal sign.
B) A mathematical statement showing two expressions are equal, connected by an equal sign.
C) A symbol that represents an unknown value.
D) A number multiplied by a variable.
E) A fixed value that does not change.
Correct Answer: B) A mathematical statement showing two expressions are equal, connected
by an equal sign.
Rationale: The defining characteristic of an equation is the equal sign (=), which signifies that
the expression on the left side has the same value as the expression on the right side. A math
phrase without an equal sign is an expression.
Question 2
Which of the following is an example of a mathematical expression?
A) 5x - 2 = 8
B) 10 + 5 = 15
C) 4y > 12
D) 7 + 9
E) A = L × W
Correct Answer: D) 7 + 9
Rationale: An expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operators that can be
evaluated to a single value, but it does not contain an equal sign or inequality symbol to
relate it to another expression. 7 + 9 is a math phrase without an equal sign.
Question 3
What is the fundamental principle for solving for an unknown variable in an equation?
A) To apply operations to only one side of the equation.
B) To isolate the variable by applying the same operation to both sides of the equation.
C) To guess the value of the variable until the equation is true.
D) To move the variable to the right side of the equation.
E) To remove all constants from the equation.
Correct Answer: B) To isolate the variable by applying the same operation to both sides of
the equation.
Rationale: To maintain the equality of an equation, any mathematical operation (addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division) performed on one side must also be performed on the
other side. This process is repeated until the variable is by itself.
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Question 4
In the expression 7x + 4, what is the term "x" called?
A) A constant
B) A coefficient
C) A variable
D) An equation
E) A solution
Correct Answer: C) A variable
Rationale: A variable is a symbol, typically a letter like x, that is used to represent an
unknown or changing value in a mathematical expression or equation.
Question 5
In the equation 3y - 5 = 10, what is the term "-5" called?
A) A variable
B) A coefficient
C) A solution
D) An expression
E) A constant
Correct Answer: E) A constant
Rationale: A constant is a fixed value that does not change within an expression or equation.
In this case, -5 is a known number that is not attached to a variable.
Question 6
In the term 9a, what is the number "9" called?
A) A variable
B) A constant
C) A coefficient
D) A reciprocal
E) A denominator
Correct Answer: C) A coefficient
Rationale: A coefficient is a numerical or constant quantity placed before and multiplying the
variable in an algebraic expression. Here, 9 is the coefficient of the variable a.
Question 7
How do you correctly multiply the fractions 2/3 and 4/5?
A) Cross-multiply the numerators and denominators.
B) Find a common denominator, then multiply the numerators.
C) Multiply the numerators together and the denominators together.
D) Add the numerators and multiply the denominators.
E) Multiply the first numerator by the second denominator.
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Correct Answer: C) Multiply the numerators together and the denominators together.
Rationale: The rule for multiplying fractions is to multiply the numerators to get the new
numerator, and multiply the denominators to get the new denominator. So, (2 × 4) / (3 × 5) =
8/15.
Question 8
What is the correct procedure for dividing the fraction 1/2 by 3/4?
A) Divide the first numerator by the second numerator and the first denominator by the second
denominator.
B) Multiply 1/2 by the reciprocal of 3/4.
C) Multiply 1/2 by 3/4.
D) Find a common denominator, then divide the numerators.
E) Invert both fractions and then multiply.
Correct Answer: B) Multiply 1/2 by the reciprocal of 3/4.
Rationale: To divide by a fraction, you multiply by its reciprocal (the "flipped" version). The
reciprocal of 3/4 is 4/3. So, the problem becomes 1/2 × 4/3 = 4/6, which simplifies to 2/3.
Question 9
What is the necessary first step when adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators?
A) Add the numerators and the denominators separately.
B) Multiply the numerators and denominators.
C) Rewrite the fractions so they have a common denominator.
D) Convert the fractions to decimals.
E) Find the reciprocal of both fractions.
Correct Answer: C) Rewrite the fractions so they have a common denominator.
Rationale: You cannot directly add or subtract parts of a whole unless those parts are the
same size. Finding a common denominator ensures that you are adding or subtracting
fractions that have been divided into equally sized pieces. Once they have a common
denominator, you simply add or subtract the numerators.
Question 10
What is the reciprocal of the number 5?
A) 5
B) -5
C) 1/5
D) 0.5
E) 10
Correct Answer: C) 1/5
Rationale: Any whole number can be written as a fraction over 1 (e.g., 5 = 5/1). A reciprocal is
found by "flipping" the fraction. Therefore, the reciprocal of 5/1 is 1/5.
Questions and Answers |Latest 2025/26 Update | 100% Correct.
Question 1
Which of the following best describes a mathematical equation?
A) A math phrase without an equal sign.
B) A mathematical statement showing two expressions are equal, connected by an equal sign.
C) A symbol that represents an unknown value.
D) A number multiplied by a variable.
E) A fixed value that does not change.
Correct Answer: B) A mathematical statement showing two expressions are equal, connected
by an equal sign.
Rationale: The defining characteristic of an equation is the equal sign (=), which signifies that
the expression on the left side has the same value as the expression on the right side. A math
phrase without an equal sign is an expression.
Question 2
Which of the following is an example of a mathematical expression?
A) 5x - 2 = 8
B) 10 + 5 = 15
C) 4y > 12
D) 7 + 9
E) A = L × W
Correct Answer: D) 7 + 9
Rationale: An expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operators that can be
evaluated to a single value, but it does not contain an equal sign or inequality symbol to
relate it to another expression. 7 + 9 is a math phrase without an equal sign.
Question 3
What is the fundamental principle for solving for an unknown variable in an equation?
A) To apply operations to only one side of the equation.
B) To isolate the variable by applying the same operation to both sides of the equation.
C) To guess the value of the variable until the equation is true.
D) To move the variable to the right side of the equation.
E) To remove all constants from the equation.
Correct Answer: B) To isolate the variable by applying the same operation to both sides of
the equation.
Rationale: To maintain the equality of an equation, any mathematical operation (addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division) performed on one side must also be performed on the
other side. This process is repeated until the variable is by itself.
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Question 4
In the expression 7x + 4, what is the term "x" called?
A) A constant
B) A coefficient
C) A variable
D) An equation
E) A solution
Correct Answer: C) A variable
Rationale: A variable is a symbol, typically a letter like x, that is used to represent an
unknown or changing value in a mathematical expression or equation.
Question 5
In the equation 3y - 5 = 10, what is the term "-5" called?
A) A variable
B) A coefficient
C) A solution
D) An expression
E) A constant
Correct Answer: E) A constant
Rationale: A constant is a fixed value that does not change within an expression or equation.
In this case, -5 is a known number that is not attached to a variable.
Question 6
In the term 9a, what is the number "9" called?
A) A variable
B) A constant
C) A coefficient
D) A reciprocal
E) A denominator
Correct Answer: C) A coefficient
Rationale: A coefficient is a numerical or constant quantity placed before and multiplying the
variable in an algebraic expression. Here, 9 is the coefficient of the variable a.
Question 7
How do you correctly multiply the fractions 2/3 and 4/5?
A) Cross-multiply the numerators and denominators.
B) Find a common denominator, then multiply the numerators.
C) Multiply the numerators together and the denominators together.
D) Add the numerators and multiply the denominators.
E) Multiply the first numerator by the second denominator.
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Correct Answer: C) Multiply the numerators together and the denominators together.
Rationale: The rule for multiplying fractions is to multiply the numerators to get the new
numerator, and multiply the denominators to get the new denominator. So, (2 × 4) / (3 × 5) =
8/15.
Question 8
What is the correct procedure for dividing the fraction 1/2 by 3/4?
A) Divide the first numerator by the second numerator and the first denominator by the second
denominator.
B) Multiply 1/2 by the reciprocal of 3/4.
C) Multiply 1/2 by 3/4.
D) Find a common denominator, then divide the numerators.
E) Invert both fractions and then multiply.
Correct Answer: B) Multiply 1/2 by the reciprocal of 3/4.
Rationale: To divide by a fraction, you multiply by its reciprocal (the "flipped" version). The
reciprocal of 3/4 is 4/3. So, the problem becomes 1/2 × 4/3 = 4/6, which simplifies to 2/3.
Question 9
What is the necessary first step when adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators?
A) Add the numerators and the denominators separately.
B) Multiply the numerators and denominators.
C) Rewrite the fractions so they have a common denominator.
D) Convert the fractions to decimals.
E) Find the reciprocal of both fractions.
Correct Answer: C) Rewrite the fractions so they have a common denominator.
Rationale: You cannot directly add or subtract parts of a whole unless those parts are the
same size. Finding a common denominator ensures that you are adding or subtracting
fractions that have been divided into equally sized pieces. Once they have a common
denominator, you simply add or subtract the numerators.
Question 10
What is the reciprocal of the number 5?
A) 5
B) -5
C) 1/5
D) 0.5
E) 10
Correct Answer: C) 1/5
Rationale: Any whole number can be written as a fraction over 1 (e.g., 5 = 5/1). A reciprocal is
found by "flipping" the fraction. Therefore, the reciprocal of 5/1 is 1/5.
