When setting criteria to filter for last names beginning with 'A', which SQL phrase is appropriate?

The appropriate SQL phrase for filtering last names that begin with the letter 'A' is represented by the syntax that utilizes the LIKE operator along with a wildcard character. In SQL, the wildcard character for matching any sequence of characters is the percent sign (%).

Therefore, the correct way to express the criteria for last names that begin with 'A' would be by using the phrase LIKE 'A%', where the percent sign signifies that any characters can follow 'A', including none at all.

The option that suggests using LIKE "A*" is incorrect because SQL does not recognize the asterisk (*) as a wildcard character in the same way it does in other programming contexts; in SQL, the correct wildcard for this type of operation is the percent sign (%).

In summary, the use of the LIKE operator combined with the appropriate wildcard character is essential for effectively filtering data based on criteria regarding the starting letters of last names.