Free Practice Questions for the WGU Courses and Certificates Applied-Algebra Exam (2026 Updated)

The graph models the number of widgets the manufacturing team can produce each day.

The horizontal axis represents:

" Days "

The vertical axis represents:

" Widgets produced each day "

The two labeled points are:

(16│9.1)

and

(18│12.4)

This means:

On day 16, the team could produce about 9.1widgets per day.

On day 18, the team could produce about 12.4widgets per day.

The average rate of change is:

(12.4-9.1)/(18-16)

=3.3/2

=1.65

Rounded to the nearest tenth:

1.7

So from day 16 to day 18, the team’s production increased by an average of about:

1.7 " widgets each day "

This question asks for correct function notation. The input x represents the number of properties sold last year, and the output H(x) represents the expected number of property sales this year. Since this year’s number is expected to be 9 more than last year’s number, the function rule is H(x)=x+9. The problem states that 140 properties were sold last year, so the correct input is x=140. Substituting gives H(140)=140+9=149. This means that when last year’s sales were 140, this year’s expected sales are 149. The input must be inside the parentheses, and the output must follow the equals sign. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

The graph shows customer visits by day.

To determine which days likely featured new releases, we should look for the days with unusually high customer counts.

From the graph:

Day 8 has about 40customers.

Day 11 also has about 40customers.

These are the highest values shown on the graph.

Since the problem says more customers show up on days when new releases are featured, the days with the highest customer counts are the most likely new-release days.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " D " )

The regression function has:

r^2=0.54

This indicates a moderate fit, not a strong fit. The model explains some of the variation in the data, but not as strongly as a model with an r^2value closer to 1.

Now consider the prediction at:

x=20.6

From the scatterplot, the observed data values extend to about:

x=18

The prediction at x=20.6is beyond the observed data, so it is an extrapolation. However, it is not very far beyond the data range.

Because x=20.6is within a reasonable extrapolation range and the model has a moderate fit, the prediction is appropriate.

The scatterplot shows the number of monthly train crossings decreasing over time. The decrease is not constant from one year to the next, so a linear model is not the best choice. Instead, the data decreases quickly at first and then begins to level off, which is characteristic of exponential decay. Exponential models are appropriate when a quantity changes by a repeated factor or percentage over equal time intervals. A logistic model would usually show an S-shaped pattern with a carrying capacity, and a polynomial model would be more appropriate for turning points or more complex curvature. Since the points show a smooth decreasing curve that flattens over time, an exponential function best models the data. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

The average daily change is the average rate of change over the interval from day 16 to day 20. From the graph, the performance score at day 16 is approximately 30.1, and the score at day 20 is approximately 57.6. Use the formula

x

2

​

−x

1

​

y

2

​

−y

1

​

​

Substituting gives

20−16

57.6−30.1

​

The numerator is 27.5, and the denominator is 4, so the average daily change is 27.5/4=6.875, which rounds to 6.88. This means the performance score increased by an average of about 6.88 points per day over the interval. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

This question asks us to interpret unusually high values on a graph. The problem states that more customer accounts are opened during snowy weeks than during weeks without snow. Therefore, the likely snowy weeks correspond to the peaks on the graph, where the number of new customer accounts is noticeably higher than surrounding weeks. The graph shows clear spikes at approximately week 7 and week 14. These weeks have higher account openings compared with nearby weeks, making them the best evidence of snowy conditions. Week 1 and week 5 do not match the main peaks shown in the graph. Since the snowy weeks should correspond to the highest customer-account values, the correct answer is D.

The graph represents yearly profit as a function of time:

P(t)= " yearly profit "

where:

t= " years since opening "

The graph is a downward-opening curve, so its maximum value occurs at the highest point, also called the vertex.

From the graph, the highest point occurs at approximately:

t=10.5

So the maximum yearly profit happened approximately:

10.5 " years after opening "

The vertical axis measures yearly profit in millions of dollars. From the graph, the maximum value is approximately:

1.41

Since the units are millions of dollars:

1.41×1,000,000=1,410,000

So the maximum yearly profit was approximately:

$1,410,000

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " C " )

The graph represents a logistic growth model for viral infections. From day 9 to day 12, the curve is moving upward, so the number of infected people is increasing. During this interval, the graph is also becoming steeper, which means the rate of increase is getting larger. When a function is increasing and its slope is increasing, the correct description is that the quantity increases faster and faster. This interval occurs before the logistic graph begins to level off near its carrying capacity. The choices involving decrease are incorrect because the graph is not going downward. The choice “increases slower and slower” would apply to a later interval where the graph flattens. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

This question asks which town’s population is growing at a faster rate.

Since both population graphs are straight lines, we compare their slopes.

The slope of a line represents the rate of change:

" slope " = " change in population " / " change in time "

From the graph:

Town A starts at about 8.0thousand people and increases at a rate of about 1.0thousand people per year.

Town B starts at about 5.5thousand people and increases at a rate of about 1.3thousand people per year.

Even though Town A starts with a larger population, the question asks about the growth rate, not the starting population.

Compare the rates:

1.3 > 1.0

So Town B is growing faster than Town A.

The graph represents the value of an investment account over time. The horizontal axis gives time in years, and the vertical axis gives the total account value in dollars. To find the value after 4 years, locate x=4 on the horizontal axis and read the corresponding G(x)-value on the graph. The plotted exponential growth curve is slightly above $1,000 at 4 years, closest to $1,052.87. Because the graph shows an increasing exponential trend, values such as $480.52, $584.62, and $711.28 are too low for the account value at x=4. The correct interpretation is that after 4 years, the investment account is worth approximately $1,052.87. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

We are given the function:

d(x)=14+65x

This is a linear function because it has the form:

d(x)=mx+b

where 65is the rate of change and 14is the starting value.

We need to find:

d(1.5)

That means substitute x=1.5into the function:

d(1.5)=14+65(1.5)

Now multiply:

65(1.5)=97.5

Then add:

d(1.5)=14+97.5

d(1.5)=111.5

So the distance from the tower to the object at 1.5seconds is:

111.5 " meters "

Since xrepresents the number of years since 2004:

2013-2004=9

so:

2013 ⇒ x=9

Also:

2018-2004=14

so:

2018 ⇒ x=14

The average yearly rate of change from 2013 to 2018 is:

(f(14)-f(9))/(14-9)

Now evaluate the function:

f(9)=330× 〖 1.04 〗 ^9

f(9)≈469.37

f(14)=330× 〖 1.04 〗 ^14

f(14)≈571.13

Now calculate the average rate of change:

(571.13-469.37)/5

=101.76/5

=20.35

So the painting’s value increased by an average of about:

$20.35 " per year "

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " A " )

This problem uses function notation to describe a multiplicative relationship. The input x is the number of properties sold last year, and the output H(x) is the expected number sold this year. Since this year’s sales are 3 times last year’s sales, the function rule is H(x)=3x. The given input is 280 because 280 properties were sold last year. Substituting gives H(280)=3(280)=840. That means 840 property sales are expected this year. The answer choice must show the correct input of 280 and the correct output of 840. The other options either reverse the values or use an incorrect output. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

================

This is an exponential growth problem because the base 1.13 is greater than 1. The function starts with 2,900 bacteria and grows by a factor of 1.13 each hour, which represents a 13% hourly increase. To find the population after 18 hours, substitute t=18 into the function: f(18)=2900(1.13)

18

Evaluating the exponent and multiplying by 2900 gives approximately 26,170.38. Since bacteria are counted as whole organisms, this rounds to about 26,170 bacteria. The other answer choices do not match the exponential model at t=18. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

This graph represents a logistic growth function, which has an S-shaped curve.

Key behavior of logistic functions:

Initial phase (early time) → growth is slow

Middle phase → growth speeds up (increasing rate)

Later phase → growth slows down as it approaches a maximum

Analyze the interval from day 1 to day 17:

This interval is in the early part of the graph.

The curve is increasing and getting steeper over this range.

That means the rate of increase is growing over time.

So, the number of comments is:

" increasing faster and faster "

The graph shows a decreasing exponential model.

The vertical axis represents:

" Licensed sellers "

The horizontal axis represents:

" Time in years "

The graph starts near 700 licensed sellers and decreases over time. However, it does not appear to decrease all the way to 0. Instead, it levels off near:

y=100

That horizontal line is the horizontal asymptote.

A horizontal asymptote represents the long-term value the function approaches as time continues.

So the correct interpretation is:

" In the long run, the number of licensed sellers nears 100. "

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " C " )

For a logistic graph, concavity changes at the inflection point.

Before the inflection point, the graph is usually concave up. This means the function is increasing faster and faster.

After the inflection point, the graph is concave down. This means the function is still increasing, but it is increasing slower and slower.

From the graph, the curve changes concavity around:

x=8

After x=8, the graph begins to level off as it approaches its upper limit.

So one interval where the graph is concave down is:

(8│16)

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " A " )

This question asks for the break-even point, which is the point where:

Revenue=Cost

On the graph:

The solid blue line represents revenue.

The dashed blue line represents cost.

The revenue line starts below the cost line, meaning the person is not yet covering costs. The revenue line eventually crosses the cost line at a little more than 4 units.

Since the question asks for the minimum number of livestock feeders that must be sold, we need a whole number of feeders.

The graph shows the intersection occurs between:

4 and 5

So selling 4 feeders is not enough, but selling 5 feeders is enough for revenue to cover the costs.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

C

The function M(t)represents the company’s predicted market share after tyears.

The horizontal axis represents:

t= " time in years "

The vertical axis represents:

M(t)= " market share percentage "

We need to find when the company’s market share reaches:

60%

To answer this from the graph:

Locate 60on the vertical axis.

Move horizontally until reaching the blue curve.

Move downward to the horizontal axis to read the corresponding time.

From the graph, the blue curve reaches 60%a little after 6years, approximately at:

t=6.6

So the company should expect to have a market share of 60%after about:

6.6 " years "

The graph represents:

p(t)= " number of active players "

where:

t= " hours after 11:00 a.m. "

We need to interpret the concavity between:

t=0.4

and

t=3.6

On this interval, the graph is rising, so the number of players is increasing.

But as the graph rises, it begins to level off near the top. This means the rate of increase is getting smaller.

So the number of players is not increasing faster and faster. Instead, it is increasing, but more slowly as time passes.

That means the graph is concave down on this interval.

The correct interpretation is:

" The number of players is increasing slower and slower. "

The average rate of change measures how much the output changes per one unit of input. Here, the input is time in hours after 6:00 a.m., and the output is the number of vehicles stopped at the toll booth. The two given points are A=(1,49.4) and B=(4,45.8). Use the average rate of change formula: (y

2

​

−y

1

​

)/(x

2

​

−x

1

​

). Substituting the coordinates gives (45.8−49.4)/(4−1). The numerator is −3.6, and the denominator is 3, so the average rate of change is −1.2. The negative sign means the number of vehicles decreased over the interval.

The graph shows a linear relationship between the amount of red dye, r, and the amount of yellow dye, y.

The rate of change of a line is the slope:

" slope " =( " change in " y)/( " change in " r)

From the graph, the line goes through the origin and rises steeply. A clear point on the line is approximately:

(2│9)

This means when the amount of red dye is 2gallons, the amount of yellow dye is 9gallons.

So the rate of change is:

9/2

That means for every 2gallons of red dye, the factory uses 9gallons of yellow dye.

The relationship can be written as:

y=9/2 r

So the correct interpretation is:

" The amount of yellow dye must be " 9/2 " of the amount of red dye. "

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " A " )

The function is:

f(x)=330× 〖 1.15 〗 ^x

Because xrepresents the number of years since 2005:

2006 ⇒ x=1

2011 ⇒ x=6

The average yearly rate of change from 2006 to 2011 is:

(f(6)-f(1))/(6-1)

First, find f(1):

f(1)=330× 〖 1.15 〗 ^1

f(1)=330×1.15

f(1)=379.50

Now find f(6):

f(6)=330× 〖 1.15 〗 ^6

f(6)≈330×2.31306

f(6)≈763.31

Now calculate the average rate of change:

(763.31-379.50)/(6-1)

=383.81/5

=76.762

Rounded to two decimal places:

76.76

So the average yearly rate of change of the artifact’s value from 2006 to 2011 is approximately:

$76.76 " per year "

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " A " )

This question asks us to interpret a graph showing cost and revenue.

In Applied Algebra, the break-even point is where:

" Revenue " = " Cost "

On a graph, this happens where the revenue line and the cost line intersect.

From the graph:

The solid blue line represents revenue.

The dashed blue line represents cost.

The break-even point occurs where these two lines cross.

Looking carefully at the graph, the two lines intersect at approximately:

x=6

The horizontal axis represents the number of units, meaning the number of down quilts sold.

So the person needs to sell about:

6 " quilts "

to break even.

After selling more than 6 quilts, the revenue line is above the cost line, meaning the person begins making a profit.

We are told that supervisor B has 13 more employees than supervisor A.

Let:

n= " number of employees under supervisor A "

and

F(n)= " number of employees under supervisor B "

The phrase “13 more than” means we add 13:

F(n)=n+13

So, if supervisor A has nemployees, supervisor B has 13 additional employees.

For example, if supervisor A had 20 employees, then supervisor B would have:

F(20)=20+13=33

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " C " )

The graph shows the water volume decreasing over time.

The vertical axis represents:

" Water volume in gallons "

The horizontal axis represents:

" Time in minutes "

The graph is an exponential decay curve. It decreases quickly at first, then levels off.

From the graph, the curve approaches a horizontal value near:

y=1,000

This means the horizontal asymptote is approximately:

y=1,000

Since the graph approaches 1,000 gallons, it will not decrease to 500 gallons according to this model.

The water volume does not change by a constant rate because exponential functions do not have constant additive change. Also, the graph decreases fastest at the beginning, not later.

This is a polynomial function evaluation problem. Since I(m) represents daily income in dollars, the difference between I(7) and I(9) must also be in dollars. First evaluate I(7)=41(49)−490(7)+30=2009−3430+30=−1391. Then evaluate I(9)=41(81)−490(9)+30=3321−4410+30=−1059. The difference is |−1059−(−1391)|=332. Because the question asks for the difference between the two outputs, the correct unit is dollars, not months. So the difference between I(7) and I(9) is approximately $332. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

We need to compare the two account values after:

t=3

First, find the value of Account 1:

A_1 (3)=6,500× 〖 1.05 〗 ^3

A_1 (3)=6,500×1.157625

A_1 (3)≈7,524.56

Now find the value of Account 2:

A_2 (3)=3,000× 〖 0.96 〗 ^3

A_2 (3)=3,000×0.884736

A_2 (3)≈2,654.21

Now subtract:

7,524.56-2,654.21=4,870.35

So Account 1 is about:

$4,870

greater than Account 2 after 3 years.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " C " )

This question asks for the correct interpretation of a labeled point on a graph. In function notation, N(x)=y means when the input is x weeks, the output is y books checked out. The exhibit shows several plotted points. Point B is located at approximately x=2.8 and y=177, so Point B represents N(2.8)=177. To verify a graph statement, both the horizontal coordinate and vertical coordinate must match the actual point on the graph. If either coordinate is wrong, then the statement is not accurate. Since Point B matches the stated coordinates and output value, it is the valid conclusion. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

================

The graph shows a decreasing exponential function.

In Applied Algebra, a decreasing exponential function may approach a fixed value over time. This fixed value is called the horizontal asymptote.

The horizontal asymptote represents the long-term value that the function gets closer and closer to, but does not necessarily cross or reach exactly.

From the graph, the curve decreases quickly at first, then begins to level off near:

y=1,000

This means that as time continues, the number of letters processed per day approaches:

1,000

So the long-term trend is that the mail center will process about:

1,000 " letters per day "

The function is:

W(x)=740× 〖 0.87 〗 ^x

This is an exponential decay function because the base 0.87is between 0 and 1:

0 < 0.87 < 1

That means the sample’s weight decreases over time.

We need to find the weight when:

x=3

Substitute 3into the function:

W(3)=740× 〖 0.87 〗 ^3

First calculate the exponent:

〖 0.87 〗 ^3=0.87×0.87×0.87

〖 0.87 〗 ^3=0.658503

Now multiply by 740:

W(3)=740×0.658503

W(3)=487.29222

Rounded to two decimal places:

W(3)≈487.29

So the weight of the radioactive sample after 3 years is approximately:

487.29 " oz. "

The function c(t)gives the number of active shopping carts on a website.

Because c(t)represents active carts, the difference between c(6)and c(8)will be measured in:

" active carts "

not hours.

First evaluate c(6):

c(6)=-0.01(6)^4+0.25(6)^3-2.33(6)^2+9.02(6)+8

c(6)=19.28

Now evaluate c(8):

c(8)=-0.01(8)^4+0.25(8)^3-2.33(8)^2+9.02(8)+8

c(8)=18.08

Now find the difference:

19.28-18.08=1.20

This is approximately:

1 " active cart "

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " B " )

The graph shows population in thousands, and the horizontal axis represents:

" years since 1995 "

Point Pis located at approximately:

x=12

Since xrepresents years since 1995:

1995+12=2007

So point Pcorresponds to the year:

2007

The instantaneous rate of change at point Pis:

3.74

Because the vertical axis is measured in thousands, this means:

3.74 " thousand animals per year "

Convert thousands to actual animals:

3.74×1000=3740

So in 2007, the population was increasing by approximately:

3,740 " animals per year "

The function is:

p(m)=5m+5

This is a linear function in the form:

p(m)=mx+b

For a linear function, the average rate of change over any interval is the same as the slope.

The slope is the coefficient of m:

5

So the price increases at a constant rate of:

$5 " per month "

We can also verify using the average rate of change formula:

(p(10)-p(1))/(10-1)

Find p(10):

p(10)=5(10)+5=55

Find p(1):

p(1)=5(1)+5=10

Now calculate:

(55-10)/(10-1)

=45/9

=5

The graph represents:

p(t)= " number of people at the gym "

where:

t= " hours after 7:00 a.m. "

The question asks about the concavity of the graph between:

t=1.3

and

t=3.4

On this interval, the graph is still going upward, so the number of people is increasing.

However, the graph is beginning to flatten as it approaches its highest point. That means the slope is positive, but the slope is getting smaller.

In other words:

" The number of people is increasing, but at a slower rate. "

This is called concave down behavior. For a concave down graph that is increasing, the correct interpretation is:

" increasing slower and slower "

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " C " )

The function is:

f(x)=10× 〖 1.09 〗 ^x

This is an exponential growth function because:

1.09 > 1

For an exponential growth function, the rate of increase becomes larger as time passes. That means later intervals usually have faster average increases than earlier intervals.

Since xrepresents years since 2001:

2001 ⇒ x=0

2003 ⇒ x=2

2005 ⇒ x=4

2013 ⇒ x=12

2016 ⇒ x=15

2019 ⇒ x=18

2021 ⇒ x=20

The latest interval is:

2013 " to " 2021

Because the graph is exponential growth and is steepest later in time, this interval has the fastest average increase.

To decide which town is growing faster, compare the slopes of the two lines. In a linear population graph, the slope represents the growth rate, while the starting value represents the initial population. The graph shows that Town A has a slope of about 1.0 thousand people per year, while Town B has a slope of about 0.7 thousand people per year. Since 1.0 > 0.7, Town A is growing at a faster rate. The values 6.5 and 5.5 refer to population amounts, not growth rates, so they do not answer the question. The correct comparison must use the slopes. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

The function A(t)represents the number of people expected to audition this year.

The input trepresents the number of people who auditioned last year.

The problem says this year’s number is expected to be 3 less than last year’s number. Therefore, the function rule is:

A(t)=t-3

We are told that 280 people auditioned last year, so:

t=280

Substitute 280into the function:

A(280)=280-3

A(280)=277

So, the notation that represents the number of people expected to audition this year is:

A(280)=277

This means if 280 people auditioned last year, then 277 people are expected to audition this year.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

▭ ( " A " )