Skip to content
Official PYQ · 2026

GATE CS 2026 Set 2 Q32 — Normal Forms

Explain with AI

In the context of schema normalization in relational DBMS, consider a set F\text{F} of functional dependencies. The set of all functional dependencies implied by F\text{F} is called the closure of F\text{F}. To compute the closure of F\text{F}, Armstrong's Axioms can be applied. Consider X,YX, Y, and ZZ as sets of attributes over a relational schema. The three rules of Armstrong's Axioms are described as follows.

Reflexivity: If Y⊆XY \subseteq X, then X→YX \rightarrow Y

Augmentation: If X→YX \rightarrow Y, then XZ→YZX Z \rightarrow Y Z for any Z

Transitivity: If X→YX \rightarrow Y and Y→ZY \rightarrow Z, then X→ZX \rightarrow Z

The additional rule of Union is defined as follows.

Union: If X→YX \rightarrow Y and X→ZX \rightarrow Z, then X→YZX \rightarrow Y Z

It can be proved that the additional rule of Union is also implied by the three rules of Armstrong's Axioms. Listed below are four combinations of these three rules. Which one of these combinations is both necessary and sufficient for the proof?

Choose one option
View worked solution

Answer: D

To determine which combination of Armstrong's Axioms is both necessary and sufficient to prove the Union rule, let us write down the proof using the minimum number of axioms.

Union Rule: If X→YX \rightarrow Y and X→ZX \rightarrow Z, then X→YZX \rightarrow YZ.

Proof:

  1. We are given:
    • (i) X→YX \rightarrow Y
    • (ii) X→ZX \rightarrow Z
  2. Apply the Augmentation rule to (i) by augmenting both sides with XX:
    XX→XY  ⟹  X→XYXX \rightarrow XY \implies X \rightarrow XY(Since XX=XXX = X by set theory)
  3. Apply the Augmentation rule to (ii) by augmenting both sides with YY:
    XY→YZXY \rightarrow YZ
  4. Apply the Transitivity rule to X→XYX \rightarrow XY and XY→YZXY \rightarrow YZ:
    X→YZX \rightarrow YZ

Thus, the Union rule is successfully derived using only Augmentation and Transitivity. Reflexivity is not required for this proof.

Therefore, the combination of Augmentation and Transitivity is both necessary and sufficient.

Free practice · Your answers on this page are not saved.

Published
Report a correction
Keep exploringMore Normal Forms questions