Which of the following represents the cumulative effect of adding quantities?

• A. Sum
• B. Difference
• C. Product
• D. Quotient

Answer: (A)

The cumulative effect of adding quantities is represented by the term "sum." When you add two or more numbers together, you are finding their sum, which is the total quantity resulting from that addition. For instance, if you add 3 and 4, the sum is 7. This concept extends to multiple quantities as well; for example, adding 2, 5, and 10 gives you a cumulative sum of 17.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different mathematical operations. The difference represents the result of subtraction, the product reflects the result of multiplication, and the quotient indicates the result of division. Each of these operations addresses different ways of combining or manipulating numbers, but only the sum pertains specifically to the additive process. Thus, recognizing that the act of adding quantities focuses on finding a total reinforces why the correct answer is the sum.