In: Computer Science
Let the schema R = (A,B,C) and the set F = {A → B,C → B} of FDs be given. Is R in 3NF? Why or why not?
Solution :
From the given functional dependencies, we can say that
candidate key of R is AC. As the closure of AC is {A,B,C}, i.e all
attributes of R.
Given relation R is not in 3NF as it is not in 2NF because
of two partial dependencies A->B and C->B.
Checking for 2NF :
A->B and C->B both are partial dependencies. Hence the
relation R is not in 2NF.
Converting to 2NF : To convert R in 2NF decompose relation R into
two relations as given below :
R1(A,B) with functional dependency A->B and candidate key
A.
R2(C,B) with functional dependency C->B and candidate key
C.
Both relations R1 and R2 are in 2NF.
Checking for 3NF :
Decomposed relations dont have transitive dependency. Hence both
are in 3NF.
Hence R is not in 3NF but by decomposing it as given above R can be
converted to 3NF.
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