A method, computer readable medium, and system for optimizing a query in a relational database processing system is disclosed. The present invention relates to a query rewrite optimization method for eliminating a redundant join and equivalent subquery in an SQL query before generation and selection of the optimal query execution plan. The method of the present invention includes evaluating the query to identify a join predicate joining a sub-expression of the query to itself, and determining whether a row set producible from a first set of references of the query to the sub-expression is subsumed by a row set producible from a second set of references of the query to the sub-expression. Based on such evaluation and determination, the query may be reformed to eliminate the join predicate and the second quantifier. A further determination of the removability of the second quantifier may be required such as by evaluating a cardinality constraint when query output cardinality is material.