ASVAB · Study Guide

ASVAB Mathematics Knowledge — Statistics, Probability, and Data Interpretation

Statistics and probability appear in the upper-difficulty range of the ASVAB MK subtest. These questions cover mean/median/mode, basic probability, and simple data interpretation — the statistical concepts that military technical roles apply regularly.

Statistics questions on the ASVAB MK test the three measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), basic probability, and occasionally the ability to read a simple table or graph. These questions reward careful reading more than advanced mathematical ability.

The three averages: MEAN = sum of all values ÷ number of values (what most people call 'the average'); MEDIAN = middle value when sorted (or average of two middle values for even count); MODE = most frequently occurring value. The exam almost always specifies which one it wants — read carefully.

Source

How these questions were selected

These 10 questions were curated by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from our Mathematics Knowledge practice bank. Each was selected because it covers a concept that appears frequently on the real exam and that many candidates find difficult on their first attempt. The full practice test has 25 questions — work through all of them once you've reviewed this guide.

The questions

Question 2

What is the perimeter of a square with side length 9?

  1. 18
  2. 27
  3. 36 ✓
  4. 81
▶ Show full explanation

Perimeter of square = 4 × side = 4 × 9 = 36.

Source: ASVAB MK, Perimeter

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Question 3

Solve: 2(x + 4) = 22

  1. 5
  2. 6
  3. 7 ✓
  4. 9
▶ Show full explanation

Distribute: 2x + 8 = 22. Subtract 8: 2x = 14. Divide by 2: x = 7.

Source: ASVAB MK, Distributive Property

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Question 4

Which of the following is a prime number?

  1. 21
  2. 27
  3. 37 ✓
  4. 51
▶ Show full explanation

37 is prime — only divisible by 1 and 37. 21 = 3×7; 27 = 3×9; 51 = 3×17.

Source: ASVAB MK, Prime Numbers

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Question 5

A right triangle has legs of 5 and 12. What is the hypotenuse?

  1. 13 ✓
  2. 14
  3. 15
  4. 17
▶ Show full explanation

Pythagorean theorem: c² = a² + b² = 25 + 144 = 169. c = √169 = 13.

Source: ASVAB MK, Pythagorean Theorem

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Question 6

What is the slope of the line passing through (2, 3) and (6, 11)?

  1. 1
  2. 2 ✓
  3. 3
  4. 4
▶ Show full explanation

Slope = (y₂-y₁)/(x₂-x₁) = (11-3)/(6-2) = 8/4 = 2.

Source: ASVAB MK, Slope

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Question 7

Simplify: x³ × x⁴

  1. x⁷ ✓
  2. x¹²
  3. 2x⁷
  4. x
▶ Show full explanation

When multiplying same base, add exponents: x³ × x⁴ = x^(3+4) = x⁷.

Source: ASVAB MK, Exponent Rules

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Question 8

The angles of a quadrilateral sum to how many degrees?

  1. 180°
  2. 270°
  3. 360° ✓
  4. 540°
▶ Show full explanation

A quadrilateral (4 sides) has interior angles summing to 360°. Triangles sum to 180°; each additional side adds 180°.

Source: ASVAB MK, Polygon Angles

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Question 9

Solve the inequality: 2x - 5 > 9

  1. x > 2
  2. x > 7 ✓
  3. x > 6
  4. x > 4
▶ Show full explanation

Add 5 to both sides: 2x > 14. Divide by 2: x > 7.

Source: ASVAB MK, Inequalities

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Question 10

What is the least common multiple (LCM) of 4 and 6?

  1. 8
  2. 10
  3. 12 ✓
  4. 24
▶ Show full explanation

Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12... Multiples of 6: 6, 12... First common multiple = 12.

Source: ASVAB MK, LCM

Full Q&A page →

Basic probability formula: Probability = Number of favourable outcomes ÷ Total number of possible outcomes. Example: Probability of rolling a 3 on a 6-sided die = 1/6 ≈ 0.167 ≈ 16.7%. COMBINED PROBABILITY (both events): P(A AND B) = P(A) × P(B) if independent. EITHER/OR PROBABILITY: P(A OR B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A AND B). The ASVAB tests basic single-event probability and occasionally simple combined probability — not advanced combinatorics.

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The full practice test covers every topic area — practice mode with explanations or timed mock exam mode.

Take the Mathematics Knowledge practice test →

Or read the ASVAB exam guide for format, scoring, and study tips.