What is the primary function of a database management system?

The primary function of a database management system (DBMS) is to provide tools for database creation, management, and data manipulation. A DBMS allows users to create databases, insert and update data, query the data, and manage data access and security. This encompasses a range of functionalities such as defining data structures, querying data using languages like SQL, and ensuring data integrity and consistency.

By effectively managing data, a DBMS helps organizations store, retrieve, and manipulate large volumes of information efficiently and securely. This functionality is crucial in various fields, including business, healthcare, and education, where data is central to operations and decision-making.

The other options, while related to technology, do not encapsulate the core responsibilities of a DBMS. For instance, handling complex mathematical functions is typically the domain of specialized software rather than a database system. Similarly, a word processing application focuses on text creation and editing, not data management. Managing financial transactions, while it may involve databases, highlights a specific use case rather than the broad purpose of a DBMS. Therefore, the most accurate answer to the question is that a DBMS provides essential tools for creating, managing, and manipulating databases.