Consider the relation T1(A,B,C,D,E) with the dependencies {EB -> C, D -> E, EA…

2025

Consider the relation T1(A,B,C,D,E) with the dependencies {EB -> C, D -> E, EA -> B}

and T2(A,B,C,D) with the dependencies {C -> A, A -> B, A -> D}.

Which of the following is TRUE?

  1. A.

    T1 is in 3NF

  2. B.

    T2 is in 3NF

  3. C.

    T1 is not in 3NF

  4. D.

    T1 is in 2NF

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Correct answer: C

Answer: T1 is not in 3NF.

Find a candidate key for T1:

  • Start with {A,D}.

  • D -> E gives E, so we have {A,D,E}.

  • EA -> B gives B, so we have {A,B,D,E}.

  • EB -> C gives C, so {A,D}+ = {A,B,C,D,E}.

Therefore a candidate key is {A,D}. Prime attributes are A and D.

Check each functional dependency against 3NF:

  • EB -> C: EB is not a superkey, and C is not a prime attribute. This violates 3NF.

  • D -> E: D is not a superkey (it is only part of the composite key), and E is not prime. This violates 3NF.

  • EA -> B: EA is not a superkey, and B is not prime. This also violates 3NF.

Since there are dependencies whose left sides are not superkeys and whose right sides are non-prime attributes, T1 is not in Third Normal Form.

Note: T2 is also not in 3NF. In T2, C is a candidate key, but the dependency A -> B has a left side that is not a superkey and a right side B that is not prime, so T2 violates 3NF as well.

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