Final answer:
4NF is a database normalization technique that eliminates redundant data and dependencies. Non-trivial functional dependency is when the determinant functionally determines the dependent attribute. BCNF is a higher level of database normalization that ensures no non-trivial dependencies. To achieve 4NF, the given relation would be decomposed by identifying and separating multi-valued dependencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
(a) What is 4NF?
4NF stands for Fourth Normal Form, which is a database normalization technique. It is an extension of third normal form (3NF) and is used to further eliminate redundant data and dependencies. In 4NF, a relation is in 4NF if and only if it is in BCNF (Boyce-Codd Normal Form) and there are no non-trivial multi-valued dependencies.
(b) Identify a non-trivial functional dependency in the given relation.
A non-trivial functional dependency is a dependency where the determinant functionally determines the dependent attribute, and removing any attribute from the determinant would break the dependency. For example, if we have a relation with the attributes Student_ID and Course_ID, where Student_ID uniquely determines Course_ID, this would be a non-trivial functional dependency.
(c) Explain the concept of BCNF.
BCNF stands for Boyce-Codd Normal Form, which is a higher level of database normalization. It deals with functional dependencies and ensures that there are no non-trivial dependencies between attributes. A relation is in BCNF if and only if every non-trivial functional dependency in the relation is a dependency on a candidate key.
(d) How would you decompose the given relation to achieve 4NF?
To decompose the given relation into 4NF, we would first identify all the multi-valued dependencies in the relation. Then, we would create separate relations for each multi-valued dependency. This process is known as normalization and helps in eliminating redundancy and improving data integrity.