Which of the following best illustrates the relationship between entities and attributes?

The relationship between entities and attributes is best illustrated by the pairing of the entity CUSTOMER with the attribute PURCHASE. An entity represents a fundamental concept or object that can be distinctly identified, while an attribute describes a property or characteristic of that entity.

In this context, the CUSTOMER entity refers to individuals or organizations that purchase goods or services. The PURCHASE attribute pertains specifically to the transactions made by these customers, such as the items they buy, the dates of the purchases, and other details surrounding the buying behavior. This relationship highlights how attributes provide more detail or context to the entities they describe, ultimately forming a clearer picture of the customer’s behavior in the domain of commerce.

In contrast, pairing entities and attributes that do not tightly correspond can create confusion. The other options involve relationships that are less direct or logical in this context. For instance, linking PRODUCT with CUSTOMER directly may overlook the transactional aspect represented by PURCHASE, thereby missing the essence of how these entities communicate with each other in a business scenario. Overall, the pairing of CUSTOMER with PURCHASE captures the essence of a customer’s interaction with products and services effectively.