hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
FC0-U71 Practice Question: Consider the following algorithm: SET x = 5 SET y…
Consider the following algorithm: SET x = 5 SET y = 2 SET result = x ^ y OUTPUT result Assuming '^' is the exponentiation operator, what is the output?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse the exponentiation operator with the bitwise XOR operator (common in languages like C, Java, and Python), leading them to incorrectly compute 5 XOR 2 = 7 instead of 5^2 = 25.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
25
The algorithm sets x = 5 and y = 2, then computes result = x ^ y, where '^' is the exponentiation operator. 5 raised to the power of 2 equals 25. Therefore, the output is 25, making option D correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
32
Why it's wrong here
32 is 2^5, but the expression is 5^2.
- ✗
7
Why it's wrong here
7 might be the result of 5 XOR 2, but here ^ is exponentiation, not XOR.
- ✗
10
Why it's wrong here
10 is the product (5 * 2), not exponentiation.
- ✓
25
Why this is correct
5^2 = 25.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.