XK0-006 Automation, Orchestration, and Scripting Practice Question
A Bash script contains the following function:
```bash myfunc() { local result="$(( $1 + $2 ))" echo "$result"
}
```
If the script calls `myfunc 5 10`, what is the output?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing a function's exit status (return) with its stdout output (echo), leading candidates to select 'the function returns nothing' even though echo clearly produces visible output.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
15
The function uses arithmetic expansion $(( $1 + $2 )) with positional parameters 5 and 10, which evaluates to 15. The result is stored in a local variable and echoed to stdout, so calling myfunc 5 10 prints 15.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
510
Why it's wrong here
Arithmetic expansion performs integer addition, yielding 15, not string concatenation of the two arguments. It is tempting because $1 and $2 sit adjacent inside the expression, and would be correct if the operands were joined by simple variable substitution without the $(( )) construct.
- ✗
5+10
Why it's wrong here
Arithmetic expansion $(( )) evaluates the expression, so $1 and $2 are added as integers; the literal string 5+10 is never produced. It is tempting because the source text visibly contains the plus sign between the operands, and would be correct if the operands were concatenated without arithmetic expansion.
- ✗
the function returns nothing
Why it's wrong here
The echo statement writes the computed value to standard output, so the function does emit 15; returning nothing would require no output statement or a bare return. It is tempting because the local variable is scoped to the function, and would be correct if the value were only assigned without being echoed.
- ✓
15
Why this is correct
The function adds its two positional arguments, 5 and 10, storing the arithmetic result in a local variable, then echoes it. Bash arithmetic expansion evaluates the sum to 15, which is printed as the output.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Key term
Bash script
A Bash script is a text file containing a sequence of commands for the Unix shell Bash, allowing users to automate repetitive tasks and streamline system administration on Linux and macOS.
Key term
Bash
Bash is a command-line interpreter that lets users interact with an operating system by typing text commands instead of clicking icons.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-006 exam.