GATE CS 2024 Set 2 — Question 20

MCQ+1 / -0.33EasyWeak EntitiesER ModelDatabases

Databases → ER Model → Weak Entities

Last updated 20 August 2026

Question

In the context of owner and weak entity sets in the ER (Entity-Relationship) data model, which one of the following statements is TRUE?

Correct answer (A) The weak entity set MUST have total participation in the identifying relationship Solution In an Entity-Relationship (ER) model: A weak entity set is an entity set that does not have a primary key of its own and depends on the existence of a strong entity set (owner entity set) for its identification. The relationship associating the weak entity set with the owner entity set is called the identifying relationship . A weak entity set must have total participation in the identifying relationship because a weak entity cannot exist without its owner entity. The owner entity set does not necessarily need to have total participation in the identifying relationship (it can exist without the weak entity). Therefore, the statement "The weak entity set MUST have total participation in the identifying relationship" is TRUE. Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (A) The weak entity set MUST have total participation in the identifying relationship Solution In an Entity-Relationship (ER) model: A weak entity set is an entity set that does not have a primary key of its own and depends on the existence of a strong entity set (owner entity set) for its identification. The relationship associating the weak entity set with the owner entity set is called the identifying relationship . A weak entity set must have total participation in the identifying relationship because a weak entity cannot exist without its owner entity. The owner entity set does not necessarily need to have total participation in the identifying relationship (it can exist without the weak entity). Therefore, the statement "The weak entity set MUST have total participation in the identifying relationship" is TRUE.

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