Consider the following ER diagram. The minimum number of tables needed to…

Final answer: 3 tables.

Explanation:

• Entity identification: M and P are regular (strong) entities; N is a weak entity (double-bordered rectangle).

• Create one table for each strong entity: one table for M and one table for P.

• Map the weak entity N to a table that contains N's attributes (its partial key) plus a foreign key referencing the owner P's primary key; do not create a separate table for the identifying relationship R2.

• Map relationship R1 without a new table because it is not a many-to-many relationship in this diagram. Represent it by placing the primary key of the appropriate side as a foreign key on the related side.

• Therefore the required tables are: M, P, and N — a total of 3 tables.

Example relational schemas (illustrative):

• M(primary_key_M, M1, M2, M3, [FK_for_R1_if_needed])

• P(primary_key_P, P1, P2)

• N(partial_key_N, N1, N2, owner_P_primary_key_as_FK) -- weak entity table; includes FK to P; no separate R2 table