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?
- A.
T1 is in 3NF
- B.
T2 is in 3NF
- C.
T1 is not in 3NF
- D.
T1 is in 2NF
Attempted by 227 students.
Show answer & explanation
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.
A video solution is available for this question — log in and enroll to watch it.