How do arithmetic operators assist in creating field expressions?

Arithmetic operators play a crucial role in creating field expressions by facilitating the combination of field values with constants. This combination allows users to perform mathematical calculations and manipulate data effectively within the context of the application. For instance, if a user has a field representing a unit price and wants to calculate the total cost based on a given quantity, an arithmetic operator can be used to multiply the unit price (a field value) by the quantity (possibly a constant or another field). This fundamental ability to compute values dynamically is essential for generating accurate and useful expressions in data management scenarios.

The other options, while related to programming and data handling, do not accurately capture the primary function of arithmetic operators in this context. Defining patterns for field references pertains more to data structuring rather than the operational role of arithmetic. Similarly, manipulating the order of logical evaluations refers more to logical operators, and returning results in string format is related to how data is formatted rather than how it is computed. Hence, the focus on combining field values with constants encapsulates the essential use of arithmetic operators in crafting field expressions.