Use the counting principle to determine the number of elements in the sample space. the possible ways to complete a multiple-choice test consisting of 16 questions, with each question having four possible answers (a, b, c, or d).

The correct answer is 4294967296 possible ways to complete such a test.

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1

The first step is to define the fundamental principle of counting. The fundamental principle of counting states that if a process can be carried out in n steps, where there are  ways to complete the first step, ways to complete the second step, , and ways to complete the step, this process can be carried out in   ways.

Step 2

We use the fundamental principle of counting with for a total of steps.  This test can be carried out in ways. This comes from multiplying 4 by itself 16 times.