What is the purpose of a SQL statement?

The purpose of a SQL (Structured Query Language) statement is primarily to ask questions or communicate requests to a database management system. SQL is designed for managing and manipulating structured data, and it allows users to perform a variety of operations such as retrieving specific information (queries), updating existing data, inserting new data, and deleting data as needed. This communication enables users and applications to interact effectively with the database, making it an essential tool for data management and analysis.

The other options do not align with the primary function of SQL. While hardware resource management might be necessary for a database’s performance, it is not the function of SQL statements. Mathematical calculations can be performed using SQL through specific functions, but this is secondary to the main purpose of querying data. Likewise, creating graphic representations of data, such as charts or graphs, is typically handled by visualization tools rather than SQL itself. Thus, option B is the most accurate representation of SQL's purpose.