AP Computer Science Principles Practice Quiz: Random Values
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 9 questions to check your progress.
Question 1 of 9
All Questions (9)
A) 1
B) 5
C) 10
D) 11
Correct Answer: D
The function `RANDOM(a, b)` generates a random integer from `a` to `b`, inclusive. The range of possible values is [1, 10]. The value 11 is outside this range.
A) RANDOM(1, 4)
B) RANDOM(0, 3)
C) RANDOM(0, 4)
D) RANDOM(1, 3)
Correct Answer: B
`RANDOM(a, b)` includes both endpoints. `RANDOM(0, 3)` generates an integer from 0 to 3, inclusive, which corresponds to the set {0, 1, 2, 3}.
A) {5, 6, 7}
B) {1, 2, 3}
C) {6, 7, 8}
D) {5, 8}
Correct Answer: C
The expression `RANDOM(1, 3)` can produce the values 1, 2, or 3. Adding 5 to each of these possibilities yields: 5 + 1 = 6, 5 + 2 = 7, and 5 + 3 = 8. The set of possible results is {6, 7, 8}.
A) The program will require more memory to run.
B) The program is guaranteed to produce a different output every time it is executed.
C) The program may produce a different result on separate executions.
D) The program will always execute in the same amount of time.
Correct Answer: C
The provided content explicitly states: 'Using random number generation in a program means each execution may produce a different result.' While it might produce the same result twice by chance, the key characteristic is that the result is not fixed.
A) RANDOM(10, 30)
B) 10 * RANDOM(1, 3)
C) 10 + RANDOM(0, 20)
D) RANDOM(1, 3) + 10
Correct Answer: B
`RANDOM(1, 3)` generates the values 1, 2, or 3. Multiplying each of these by 10 results in the set {10, 20, 30}. The other options generate different sets of values.
A) 1
B) 2
C) 5
D) 10
Correct Answer: B
To find the minimum possible sum, you must find the minimum value for each independent `RANDOM` call and add them together. The minimum value for `RANDOM(1, 5)` is 1. Therefore, the minimum sum is 1 + 1 = 2.
A) RANDOM(1, 9)
B) 2 * RANDOM(1, 5) - 1
C) 2 * RANDOM(0, 4) + 1
D) 2 * RANDOM(1, 4) + 1
Correct Answer: C
`RANDOM(0, 4)` generates the set {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}. Multiplying by 2 gives {0, 2, 4, 6, 8}. Adding 1 to each value results in the desired set {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}.
A) {0}
B) {-1, 0, 1}
C) {-2, -1, 0, 1, 2}
D) {0, 1, 2}
Correct Answer: C
Each `RANDOM(0, 2)` call can result in {0, 1, 2}. We must consider all possible combinations of subtraction. Max value: 2 - 0 = 2. Min value: 0 - 2 = -2. Other values include 1-0=1, 1-1=0, 1-2=-1, etc. The full range of integer results is from -2 to 2, inclusive.
A) 15
B) 19
C) 20
D) 25
Correct Answer: B
To maximize the result of a subtraction (A - B), one must maximize the value of A and minimize the value of B. The maximum value for `x` from `RANDOM(10, 20)` is 20. The minimum value for the second term, `RANDOM(1, 5)`, is 1. Therefore, the maximum possible result of the expression is 20 - 1 = 19.