WGU C957
Applied Algebra
Comprehensive 2026 OA-Style Practice Exam
Competency Questions Weight
Functions 20 28.6%
Models: linear, exponential, polynomial, logistic 20 28.6%
Rates of Change 19 27.1%
Graphs and Data Analysis 11 15.7%
Format: 70 original multiple-choice questions with answers and worked rationales. Suggested timed practice: 3
hours.
Expanded model coverage: function notation and algebra; linear, exponential, quadratic, polynomial, and logistic
models; rates of change; concavity; extrema; asymptotes; regression; interpolation and extrapolation.
Important: This independent study resource follows the supplied weighting and current publicly described C957
content. It is not copied from, endorsed by, or guaranteed to match the live WGU proctored assessment.
How to use this guide
Cover the green answer and rationale boxes, solve each item, then check both the correct choice and the reasoning.
For graph questions, read axis labels and units before calculating.
WGU C957 Applied Algebra - Original OA-Style Practice | 2026 Edition Page 1
, Functions
1. A bakery models daily revenue R as a function of the number of cakes c sold. What does R(24) = 720
mean?
A. The bakery sold 720 cakes in 24 days.
B. Selling 24 cakes produces $720 in revenue.
C. Each cake costs $24.
D. Revenue increases by $720 per cake.
Correct answer: B. Selling 24 cakes produces $720 in revenue.
Rationale: The input is cakes sold and the output is revenue. Therefore, input 24 maps to an output of $720.
2. A taxi fare is F(m), where m is miles traveled. Which variable is independent?
A. Fare F
B. Miles m
C. Dollars per mile
D. Travel time
Correct answer: B. Miles m
Rationale: Miles are the input selected first; the fare depends on miles. Thus m is independent and F(m) is dependent.
3. For the ordered pair (7, 42) on y = f(x), which statement is correct?
A. f(42)=7
B. f(7)=42
C. f(7)=49
D. f(42)=35
Correct answer: B. f(7)=42
Rationale: An ordered pair (x,y) on y=f(x) means f(x)=y, so f(7)=42.
4. Evaluate f(6) for f(x)=3x-5.
A. 13
B. 18
C. 23
D. 31
Correct answer: A. 13
Rationale: Substitute 6 for x: f(6)=3(6)-5=18-5=13.
WGU C957 Applied Algebra - Original OA-Style Practice | 2026 Edition Page 2
, 5. Evaluate g(-2) for g(x)=x^2+4x+1.
A. -11
B. -3
C. 1
D. 13
Correct answer: B. -3
Rationale: g(-2)=(-2)^2+4(-2)+1=4-8+1=-3.
6. A gym charges C(n)=35+12n dollars for n training sessions. What is C(5)?
A. $60
B. $95
C. $107
D. $175
Correct answer: B. $95
Rationale: C(5)=35+12(5)=35+60=$95. The $35 is fixed and $12 is charged per session.
7. Which relation is a function?
A. {(1,2),(1,3),(2,4)}
B. {(1,2),(2,2),(3,2)}
C. {(4,1),(4,2),(4,3)}
D. {(2,5),(2,6),(3,7)}
Correct answer: B. {(1,2),(2,2),(3,2)}
Rationale: A function assigns each input exactly one output. In choice B, inputs 1, 2, and 3 each appear once.
8. What is the domain of h(x)=1/(x-4)?
A. All real numbers
B. All real numbers except 0
C. All real numbers except 4
D. x>4 only
Correct answer: C. All real numbers except 4
Rationale: The denominator cannot equal zero. Since x-4=0 at x=4, all real inputs except 4 are allowed.
9. A parking garage records P(h), the price after h hours. Which notation represents the price after 3.5
hours?
A. P(3.5)
B. P(h)=3.5
C. h(P)=3.5
D. 3.5(P)
Correct answer: A. P(3.5)
Rationale: Function notation places the input inside parentheses. The input is 3.5 hours, so P(3.5) is correct.
WGU C957 Applied Algebra - Original OA-Style Practice | 2026 Edition Page 3
, 10. If f(x)=2x+1 and g(x)=x^2, what is g(f(3))?
A. 25
B. 36
C. 49
D. 64
Correct answer: C. 49
Rationale: First f(3)=2(3)+1=7. Then g(7)=7^2=49.
11. A company defines L(t) as its lowest expected monthly sales and H(t) as its highest. If L(8)=4100 and
H(8)=5900, what is reasonable?
A. Month 8 sales must equal $4,100.
B. Month 8 sales are expected between $4,100 and $5,900.
C. Month 8 sales must equal $5,900.
D. Sales rise by $1,800 every month.
Correct answer: B. Month 8 sales are expected between $4,100 and $5,900.
Rationale: L and H give the lower and upper bounds for the same input month, so the expected interval is $4,100 to
$5,900.
12. For f(x)=|x-3|, what is f(-1)?
A. -4
B. 2
C. 4
D. 16
Correct answer: C. 4
Rationale: f(-1)=|-1-3|=|-4|=4. Absolute value is nonnegative.
13. A tank contains V(t)=500-18t liters after t minutes. Which is the dependent variable?
A. Time t
B. 18 liters
C. Volume V(t)
D. 500 liters
Correct answer: C. Volume V(t)
Rationale: The remaining volume changes in response to elapsed time, so V(t) is dependent.
WGU C957 Applied Algebra - Original OA-Style Practice | 2026 Edition Page 4
Applied Algebra
Comprehensive 2026 OA-Style Practice Exam
Competency Questions Weight
Functions 20 28.6%
Models: linear, exponential, polynomial, logistic 20 28.6%
Rates of Change 19 27.1%
Graphs and Data Analysis 11 15.7%
Format: 70 original multiple-choice questions with answers and worked rationales. Suggested timed practice: 3
hours.
Expanded model coverage: function notation and algebra; linear, exponential, quadratic, polynomial, and logistic
models; rates of change; concavity; extrema; asymptotes; regression; interpolation and extrapolation.
Important: This independent study resource follows the supplied weighting and current publicly described C957
content. It is not copied from, endorsed by, or guaranteed to match the live WGU proctored assessment.
How to use this guide
Cover the green answer and rationale boxes, solve each item, then check both the correct choice and the reasoning.
For graph questions, read axis labels and units before calculating.
WGU C957 Applied Algebra - Original OA-Style Practice | 2026 Edition Page 1
, Functions
1. A bakery models daily revenue R as a function of the number of cakes c sold. What does R(24) = 720
mean?
A. The bakery sold 720 cakes in 24 days.
B. Selling 24 cakes produces $720 in revenue.
C. Each cake costs $24.
D. Revenue increases by $720 per cake.
Correct answer: B. Selling 24 cakes produces $720 in revenue.
Rationale: The input is cakes sold and the output is revenue. Therefore, input 24 maps to an output of $720.
2. A taxi fare is F(m), where m is miles traveled. Which variable is independent?
A. Fare F
B. Miles m
C. Dollars per mile
D. Travel time
Correct answer: B. Miles m
Rationale: Miles are the input selected first; the fare depends on miles. Thus m is independent and F(m) is dependent.
3. For the ordered pair (7, 42) on y = f(x), which statement is correct?
A. f(42)=7
B. f(7)=42
C. f(7)=49
D. f(42)=35
Correct answer: B. f(7)=42
Rationale: An ordered pair (x,y) on y=f(x) means f(x)=y, so f(7)=42.
4. Evaluate f(6) for f(x)=3x-5.
A. 13
B. 18
C. 23
D. 31
Correct answer: A. 13
Rationale: Substitute 6 for x: f(6)=3(6)-5=18-5=13.
WGU C957 Applied Algebra - Original OA-Style Practice | 2026 Edition Page 2
, 5. Evaluate g(-2) for g(x)=x^2+4x+1.
A. -11
B. -3
C. 1
D. 13
Correct answer: B. -3
Rationale: g(-2)=(-2)^2+4(-2)+1=4-8+1=-3.
6. A gym charges C(n)=35+12n dollars for n training sessions. What is C(5)?
A. $60
B. $95
C. $107
D. $175
Correct answer: B. $95
Rationale: C(5)=35+12(5)=35+60=$95. The $35 is fixed and $12 is charged per session.
7. Which relation is a function?
A. {(1,2),(1,3),(2,4)}
B. {(1,2),(2,2),(3,2)}
C. {(4,1),(4,2),(4,3)}
D. {(2,5),(2,6),(3,7)}
Correct answer: B. {(1,2),(2,2),(3,2)}
Rationale: A function assigns each input exactly one output. In choice B, inputs 1, 2, and 3 each appear once.
8. What is the domain of h(x)=1/(x-4)?
A. All real numbers
B. All real numbers except 0
C. All real numbers except 4
D. x>4 only
Correct answer: C. All real numbers except 4
Rationale: The denominator cannot equal zero. Since x-4=0 at x=4, all real inputs except 4 are allowed.
9. A parking garage records P(h), the price after h hours. Which notation represents the price after 3.5
hours?
A. P(3.5)
B. P(h)=3.5
C. h(P)=3.5
D. 3.5(P)
Correct answer: A. P(3.5)
Rationale: Function notation places the input inside parentheses. The input is 3.5 hours, so P(3.5) is correct.
WGU C957 Applied Algebra - Original OA-Style Practice | 2026 Edition Page 3
, 10. If f(x)=2x+1 and g(x)=x^2, what is g(f(3))?
A. 25
B. 36
C. 49
D. 64
Correct answer: C. 49
Rationale: First f(3)=2(3)+1=7. Then g(7)=7^2=49.
11. A company defines L(t) as its lowest expected monthly sales and H(t) as its highest. If L(8)=4100 and
H(8)=5900, what is reasonable?
A. Month 8 sales must equal $4,100.
B. Month 8 sales are expected between $4,100 and $5,900.
C. Month 8 sales must equal $5,900.
D. Sales rise by $1,800 every month.
Correct answer: B. Month 8 sales are expected between $4,100 and $5,900.
Rationale: L and H give the lower and upper bounds for the same input month, so the expected interval is $4,100 to
$5,900.
12. For f(x)=|x-3|, what is f(-1)?
A. -4
B. 2
C. 4
D. 16
Correct answer: C. 4
Rationale: f(-1)=|-1-3|=|-4|=4. Absolute value is nonnegative.
13. A tank contains V(t)=500-18t liters after t minutes. Which is the dependent variable?
A. Time t
B. 18 liters
C. Volume V(t)
D. 500 liters
Correct answer: C. Volume V(t)
Rationale: The remaining volume changes in response to elapsed time, so V(t) is dependent.
WGU C957 Applied Algebra - Original OA-Style Practice | 2026 Edition Page 4
