Question

What is the result of the following arithmetic operation in SQL: SELECT 5 + NULL AS RESULT?

• A. 5
• B. NULL
• C. 0
• D. 5NULL

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

In SQL, arithmetic operations involving a NULL value invariably produce a NULL result. This is due to NULL representing an unknown or undefined value; any calculation with such a value yields an unknown outcome. Consequently, when the query:

SELECT 5 + NULL AS RESULT;

is executed, the integer 5 is added to NULL. As NULL signifies an unknown quantity, the resulting sum is also unknown, returning:

NULL

Therefore, the output of the SQL statement SELECT 5 + NULL AS RESULT is definitively NULL.