Query Formulation Question

consider the following simplified queries (php using
heredoc):

$sql_1 = <<<_EOSQL

select count(inspect)
from t_inspect, t_product, t_test_area
where t_product.product_num = 1
and t_test_area.id = 5

_EOSQL

$sql_2 = <<<_EOSQL

select count(inspect)
from t_inspect, t_product, t_test_area
where t_product.product_num = 1

_EOSQL

what is the best way to handle both of these cases in
one statement?

i know it would take the form of $sql_1, but what
value should i feed to t_test_area.id? is there
syntax that will just ignore it or do i need to send a
value of 'NOT NULL'? will NOT NULL slow down the
query when compared to $sql_2?

am i missing a better way to structure these queries?

as always, tia...

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