Question

Consider the following relation with set of functional dependencies

R(ABCDEF)

AB->CD, CD->EF, BC->DEF, D->B, CE->F

a) Identify the candidate keys in the above relation (with proper steps followed).

b) Identify which normal form this relation is in and reason for the answer.

Answer 1

a) R(ABCDEF)

AB->CD, CD->EF, BC->DEF, D->B, CE->F

Since AB->CD, we can conclude that AB->C, and AB->D.

Since AB->CD, we can conclude that AB->EF since CD->EF.

Therefore AB is a candidate key since AB->ABCDEF

b) The relation is in 2NF since it is in 1NF