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PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING: AN ART AND A SCIENCE 6TH
EDITION (CARLTON, ADLER, & BALAC) EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST
EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING: AN ART AND A SCIENCE
6th Edition (Carlton, Adler, & Balac) —QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
UNIT I: CREATING THE BEAM
Chapter 1: Basic Mathematics (Questions 1–8)
1. Which of the following is the correct order of operations for solving
mathematical equations?
A) Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
B) Parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction
C) Multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, parentheses
D) Exponents, parentheses, addition, subtraction
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order of operations is: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication
and Division (left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (left to right). This is commonly
remembered by the acronym PEMDAS.
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2. If a radiograph requires 10 mAs at 70 kVp and the kVp is increased to 80 kVp, what
should the new mAs be to maintain the same receptor exposure?
A) 5 mAs
B) 10 mAs
C) 15 mAs
D) 20 mAs
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the 15% rule, increasing kVp by 15% requires halving the mAs
to maintain the same receptor exposure. An increase from 70 to 80 kVp is approximately
15%, so mAs should be reduced by half (10 mAs ÷ 2 = 5 mAs).
3. Which mathematical operation is used to convert fractions to decimals?
A) Multiplication
B) Addition
C) Division
D) Subtraction
Answer: C
Rationale: To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator
(e.g., 3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75).
4. The scientific notation of 0.00045 is:
A) 4.5 × 10⁻⁴
B) 4.5 × 10⁻³
C) 45 × 10⁻⁵
D) 4.5 × 10⁴
Answer: A
Rationale: To express 0.00045 in scientific notation, move the decimal point four places
to the right to get 4.5, and multiply by 10⁻⁴.
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5. In the equation I = V/R, if V = 120 volts and R = 20 ohms, what is I?
A) 4 amperes
B) 6 amperes
C) 10 amperes
D) 2400 amperes
Answer: B
Rationale: Using Ohm's Law, I = V/R = 120/20 = 6 amperes.
6. A radiograph requires 5 mAs at 80 kVp. If the kVp is decreased by 15%, what
should the new mAs be to maintain the same receptor exposure?
A) 10 mAs
B) 2.5 mAs
C) 7.5 mAs
D) 20 mAs
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the 15% rule, decreasing kVp by 15% requires doubling the
mAs to maintain the same receptor exposure. 5 mAs × 2 = 10 mAs.
7. Which of the following represents the decimal equivalent of 1/8?
A) 0.125
B) 0.25
C) 0.375
D) 0.5
Answer: A
Rationale: 1/8 = 1 ÷ 8 = 0.125.
8. In the equation kVp = 2 × (thickness in cm) + 40, what is the kVp for a patient with
a thickness of 20 cm?
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A) 60 kVp
B) 70 kVp
C) 80 kVp
D) 90 kVp
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the formula: kVp = 2 × 20 + 40 = 40 + 40 = 80 kVp.
Chapter 2: Radiation Concepts (Questions 9–18)
9. Which of the following best describes the nature of X-rays?
A) They are particles with mass.
B) They are electromagnetic waves with no mass.
C) They are sound waves.
D) They are alpha particles.
Answer: B
Rationale: X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with no mass or charge. They
travel at the speed of light and have properties of both waves and particles.
10. The electromagnetic spectrum includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A) X-rays
B) Gamma rays
C) Sound waves
D) Radio waves
Answer: C
Rationale: Sound waves are mechanical waves, not electromagnetic waves. The
electromagnetic spectrum includes X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, microwaves,
infrared, visible light, and ultraviolet rays.
PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING: AN ART AND A SCIENCE 6TH
EDITION (CARLTON, ADLER, & BALAC) EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST
EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING: AN ART AND A SCIENCE
6th Edition (Carlton, Adler, & Balac) —QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
UNIT I: CREATING THE BEAM
Chapter 1: Basic Mathematics (Questions 1–8)
1. Which of the following is the correct order of operations for solving
mathematical equations?
A) Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
B) Parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction
C) Multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, parentheses
D) Exponents, parentheses, addition, subtraction
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order of operations is: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication
and Division (left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (left to right). This is commonly
remembered by the acronym PEMDAS.
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2. If a radiograph requires 10 mAs at 70 kVp and the kVp is increased to 80 kVp, what
should the new mAs be to maintain the same receptor exposure?
A) 5 mAs
B) 10 mAs
C) 15 mAs
D) 20 mAs
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the 15% rule, increasing kVp by 15% requires halving the mAs
to maintain the same receptor exposure. An increase from 70 to 80 kVp is approximately
15%, so mAs should be reduced by half (10 mAs ÷ 2 = 5 mAs).
3. Which mathematical operation is used to convert fractions to decimals?
A) Multiplication
B) Addition
C) Division
D) Subtraction
Answer: C
Rationale: To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator
(e.g., 3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75).
4. The scientific notation of 0.00045 is:
A) 4.5 × 10⁻⁴
B) 4.5 × 10⁻³
C) 45 × 10⁻⁵
D) 4.5 × 10⁴
Answer: A
Rationale: To express 0.00045 in scientific notation, move the decimal point four places
to the right to get 4.5, and multiply by 10⁻⁴.
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5. In the equation I = V/R, if V = 120 volts and R = 20 ohms, what is I?
A) 4 amperes
B) 6 amperes
C) 10 amperes
D) 2400 amperes
Answer: B
Rationale: Using Ohm's Law, I = V/R = 120/20 = 6 amperes.
6. A radiograph requires 5 mAs at 80 kVp. If the kVp is decreased by 15%, what
should the new mAs be to maintain the same receptor exposure?
A) 10 mAs
B) 2.5 mAs
C) 7.5 mAs
D) 20 mAs
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the 15% rule, decreasing kVp by 15% requires doubling the
mAs to maintain the same receptor exposure. 5 mAs × 2 = 10 mAs.
7. Which of the following represents the decimal equivalent of 1/8?
A) 0.125
B) 0.25
C) 0.375
D) 0.5
Answer: A
Rationale: 1/8 = 1 ÷ 8 = 0.125.
8. In the equation kVp = 2 × (thickness in cm) + 40, what is the kVp for a patient with
a thickness of 20 cm?
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A) 60 kVp
B) 70 kVp
C) 80 kVp
D) 90 kVp
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the formula: kVp = 2 × 20 + 40 = 40 + 40 = 80 kVp.
Chapter 2: Radiation Concepts (Questions 9–18)
9. Which of the following best describes the nature of X-rays?
A) They are particles with mass.
B) They are electromagnetic waves with no mass.
C) They are sound waves.
D) They are alpha particles.
Answer: B
Rationale: X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with no mass or charge. They
travel at the speed of light and have properties of both waves and particles.
10. The electromagnetic spectrum includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A) X-rays
B) Gamma rays
C) Sound waves
D) Radio waves
Answer: C
Rationale: Sound waves are mechanical waves, not electromagnetic waves. The
electromagnetic spectrum includes X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, microwaves,
infrared, visible light, and ultraviolet rays.
