Of the three types of independent agencies, which one operates much like a private business?
a. independent executive agencies
b. government cooperations
c. independent regulatory commissions
d. executive departments

The one that operates much like private business would be : B. government corporation

Government corporation refer to a business whose majority owenership is owned by the government.

the structure and the goals of government corporation is very similar to private business, headed by a CEO with gaining profits as its main goal/

B. Government corporations

Government corporations are organized and run much like a private business, but are owned wholly or in part by the government.  The government creates such a corporation to meet a public need or goal that is not likely to be met by private businesses alone.  An example of such a government corporation is the US Postal Service -- which delivers mail and packages to all addresses in the country.  If left to private businesses only, mail and package delivery services might be inclined to ignore small, outlying, rural areas -- or charge significantly higher fees to those customers off the beaten path.

In addition to government corporations, the other two types of independent agencies in US government are:  independent regulatory commissions and independent executive agencies.  

An example of an independent executive agency would be the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

An example of an independent regulatory commission would be the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates radio, television, telephone, Internet, cable and satellite communication firms.