Which of the following is NOT a superkey in a relational schema with…

2016

Which of the following is NOT a superkey in a relational schema with attributes V, W, X, Y, Z and primary key V Y?

  1. A.

    V X Y Z

  2. B.

    V W X Z

  3. C.

    V W X Y

  4. D.

    V W X Y Z

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Correct answer: B

Key idea: because V and Y form the primary key, any superkey must contain both V and Y (or otherwise functionally determine them).

  • V W X Z does not include Y, so it cannot uniquely identify tuples and is not a superkey.

  • Each of the other sets (V X Y Z, V W X Y, V W X Y Z) contains both V and Y, so they are superkeys (they include the primary key).

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