Which one of the options given below refers to the degree (or arity) of a relation in relational database systems? A) Number of attributes of its relation schema. B) Number of tuples stored in the relation. C) Number of entries in the relation. D) Number of distinct domains of its relation schema.

Official answer: A) Number of attributes of its relation schema.. Explanation: In relational database management systems: - The degree (or arity) of a relation is defined as the total number of attributes (columns) present in its relation schema. - The cardinality of a relation is the total number of tuples (rows) stored in the relation instance. Therefore, option A correctly defines the degree (or arity). - B describes the *cardinality* of the relation. - C corresponds to the total number of cells/elements across all tuples. - D is incorrect because different attributes may share the same domain.

B) Number of tuples stored in the relation.

C) Number of entries in the relation.

D) Number of distinct domains of its relation schema.

Relational Model and SQL

GATE CSE 2023 · Q16

MCQ1 markEasy

Time00:00

Which one of the options given below refers to the degree (or arity) of a relation in relational database systems?

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Official answer: A) Number of attributes of its relation schema.

Relational Model and SQL

In relational database management systems:

The degree (or arity) of a relation is defined as the total number of attributes (columns) present in its relation schema.
The cardinality of a relation is the total number of tuples (rows) stored in the relation instance.

Therefore, option A correctly defines the degree (or arity).

B describes the *cardinality* of the relation.
C corresponds to the total number of cells/elements across all tuples.
D is incorrect because different attributes may share the same domain.

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This Relational Model and SQL previous year question is Q16 of the GATE CSE 2023 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Relational Model and SQL in Databases, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.

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Relational Model and SQL in GATE CSE

Relational Model and SQL has 15 GATE CSE PYQs across 12 papers from 2011 to 2026. 2 of them are 1-mark MCQs like this one, and it is the only one in GATE CSE 2023.

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