Ranking fuzzy numbers with integral value

Ranking fuzzy numbers is important in decision making. Since very often the alternatives are evaluated by fuzzy numbers in a vague environment, a comparison between these fuzzy numbers is indeed a comparison between alternatives. This paper proposes a method of ranking fuzzy numbers with integral value. The method, which is independent of the type of membership functions used and the normality of the functions, can rank more than two fuzzy numbers simultaneously. It is relatively simple in computation, especially in ranking triangular and trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. Further, an index of optimism is used to reflect the decision maker's optimistic attitude. Discussion on comparative advantages is included.     

Ranking fuzzy numbers with maximizing set and minimizing set

Up to now, these are five methods of ranking n fuzzy numbers in order, but these methods contain some confusions and occasionally conflict with intuition. This paper introduces the concept of maximizing set and minimizing set to decide the ordering value of each fuzzy number and uses these values to determine the order of the n fuzzy numbers. In addition, we give a method for calculating the ordering value of each fuzzy number with triangular, trapezoidal, and two-sided drum-like shaped membership functions.     

A new method for ranking fuzzy numbers and its application to group decision making

In this paper, a new method for comparing fuzzy numbers based on a fuzzy probabilistic preference relation is introduced. The ranking order of fuzzy numbers with the weighted confidence level is derived from the pairwise comparison matrix based on 0.5-transitivity of the fuzzy probabilistic preference relation. The main difference between the proposed method and existing ones is that the comparison result between two fuzzy numbers is expressed as a fuzzy set instead of a crisp one. As such, the ranking order of n fuzzy numbers provides more information on the uncertainty level of the comparison. Illustrated by comparative examples, the proposed method overcomes certain unreasonable (due to the violation of the inequality properties) and indiscriminative problems exhibited by some existing methods. More importantly, the proposed method is able to provide decision makers with the probability of making errors when a crisp ranking order is obtained. The proposed method is also able to provide a probability-based explanation for conflicts among the comparison results provided by some existing methods using a proper ranking order, which ensures that ties of alternatives can be broken.     

Attribute reduction based on generalized fuzzy evidence theory in fuzzy decision systems

Attribute reduction is viewed as an important issue in data mining and knowledge representation. This paper studies attribute reduction in fuzzy decision systems based on generalized fuzzy evidence theory. The definitions of several kinds of attribute reducts are introduced. The relationships among these reducts are then investigated. In a fuzzy decision system, it is proved that the concepts of fuzzy positive region reduct, lower approximation reduct and generalized fuzzy belief reduct are all equivalent, the concepts of fuzzy upper approximation reduct and generalized fuzzy plausibility reduct are equivalent, and a generalized fuzzy plausibility consistent set must be a generalized fuzzy belief consistent set. In a consistent fuzzy decision system, an attribute set is a generalized fuzzy belief reduct if and only if it is a generalized fuzzy plausibility reduct. But in an inconsistent fuzzy decision system, a generalized fuzzy belief reduct is not a generalized fuzzy plausibility reduct in general.     

Multiple criteria decision making method based on normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy generalized aggregation operator

On the basis of the normal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (NIFNs), we proposed the normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (NIVIFNs) in which the values of the membership and nonmembership were extended to interval numbers. First, the definition, the properties, the score function and accuracy function of the NIVIFNs are briefly introduced, and the operational laws are defined. Second, some aggregation operators based on the NIVIFNs are proposed, such as normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy weighted arithmetic averaging operator, normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted arithmetic averaging operator, normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy hybrid weighted arithmetic averaging operator, normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy weighted geometric averaging operator, normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted geometric averaging operator, normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy hybrid weighted geometric averaging operator, and normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy generalized weighted averaging operator, normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy generalized ordered weighted averaging operator, normal interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy generalized hybrid weighted averaging operator, and some properties of these operators, such as idempotency, monotonicity, boundedness, commutativity, are studied. Further, an approach to the decision making problems with the NIVIFNs is established. Finally, an illustrative example is given to verify the developed approach and to demonstrate its practicality and effectiveness. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 277–290, 2016     

Ranking efficient decision making units in data envelopment analysis based on reference frontier share

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a powerful technique for performance evaluation of decision making units (DMUs). Ranking efficient DMUs based on a rational analysis is an issue that yet needs further research. The impact of each efficient DMU in evaluation of inefficient DMUs can be considered as additional information to discriminating among efficient DMUs. The concept of reference frontier share is introduced in which the share of each efficient DMU in construction of the reference frontier for evaluating inefficient DMUs is considered. For this purpose a model for measuring the reference frontier share of each efficient DMU associated with each inefficient one is proposed and then a total measure is provided based on which the ranking is made. The new approach has the capability for ranking extreme and non-extreme efficient DMUs. Further, it has no problem in dealing with negative data. These facts are verified by theorems, discussions and numerical examples.     

Ranking multi-criterion river basin planning alternatives using fuzzy numbers

The methodology proposed by Anand Raj and Nagesh Kumar [5] to rank the river basin planning and development alternatives under multi-criterion environment using fuzzy numbers is applied to a case study. The purpose is to find the most suitable planning of reservoirs with their associated purposes aimed at the development of one of the major peninsular river basins (Krishna river basin) in India. A set of 7 alternative systems with 8 main objectives, which are further subdivided into 18 criteria, are considered for ordering or ranking them employing the opinion (preference structure) of three experts: an acadamician, a field engineer and an official from Ministry of Water Resources, using fuzzy numbers. The fuzzy weights (w_i) of alternatives (A_i) are computed using standard fuzzy arithmetic. The concepts of maximizing set and minimizing set are introduced to decide total utility or order value of each of the alternatives.     

Comparing and ranking fuzzy numbers using ideal solutions

This paper presents a new approach for comparing and ranking fuzzy numbers in a simple manner in decision making under uncertainty. The concept of ideal solutions is sensibly used, and a distance-based similarity measure between fuzzy numbers is appropriately adopted for effectively determining the overall performance of each fuzzy number in comparing and ranking fuzzy numbers. As a result, all the available information characterizing a fuzzy number is fully utilized, and both the absolute position and the relative position of fuzzy numbers are adequately considered, resulted in consistent rankings being produced in comparing and ranking fuzzy numbers. The approach is computationally simple and its underlying concepts are logically sound and comprehensible. A comparative study is conducted on the benchmark cases in the literature that shows the proposed approach compares favorably with other approaches examined.     

Approximation and entropy numbers in Besov spaces of generalized smoothness

We determine the exact asymptotic behaviour of entropy and approximation numbers of the limiting restriction operator , defined by J(f)=f|_Ω. Here Ω is a non-empty bounded domain in , ψ is an increasing slowly varying function, , and is the Besov space of generalized smoothness given by the function t^sψ(t). Our results improve and extend those established by Leopold [Embeddings and entropy numbers in Besov spaces of generalized smoothness, in: Function Spaces, Lecture Notes in Pure and Applied Mathematics, vol. 213, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2000, pp. 323–336].     

Generalized triangular fuzzy correlated averaging operator and their application to multiple attribute decision making

We investigate the multiple attribute decision making problems with triangular fuzzy information. Motivated by the ideal of Choquet integral [G. Choquet, Theory of capacities, Ann. Instit. Fourier 5 (1953) 131–295] and generalized OWA operator [R.R. Yager, Generalized OWA aggregation operators, Fuzzy Optim. Dec. Making 3 (2004) 93–107], in this paper, we have developed an generalized triangular fuzzy correlated averaging (GTFCA) operator. The prominent characteristic of the operators is that they cannot only consider the importance of the elements or their ordered positions, but also reflect the correlation among the elements or their ordered positions. We have applied the GTFCA operator to multiple attribute decision making problems with triangular fuzzy information. Finally an illustrative example has been given to show the developed method.     

Hesitant fuzzy information aggregation in decision making

As a generalization of fuzzy set, hesitant fuzzy set is a very useful tool in situations where there are some difficulties in determining the membership of an element to a set caused by a doubt between a few different values. The aim of this paper is to develop a series of aggregation operators for hesitant fuzzy information. We first discuss the relationship between intutionistic fuzzy set and hesitant fuzzy set, based on which we develop some operations and aggregation operators for hesitant fuzzy elements. The correlations among the aggregation operators are further discussed. Finally, we give their application in solving decision making problems.     

Mehar’s method for solving fuzzy sensitivity analysis problems with LR flat fuzzy numbers

In published works on fuzzy linear programming there are only few papers dealing with stability or sensitivity analysis in fuzzy mathematical programming. To the best of our knowledge, till now there is no method in the literature to deal with the sensitivity analysis of such fuzzy linear programming problems in which all the parameters are represented by LR flat fuzzy numbers. In this paper, a new method, named as Mehar’s method, is proposed for the same. To show the advantages of proposed method over existing methods, some fuzzy sensitivity analysis problems which may or may not be solved by the existing methods are solved by using the proposed method.     

Exponential operations for intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and interval numbers in multi-attribute decision making

Intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs) have already been applied to many fields, especially in multi-attribute decision making (MADM). Based on the basic operational laws and information aggregation methods of IFNs, MADM with intuitionistic fuzzy information has become more and more popular. In this paper, we investigate the MADM problems where the attribute values take the form of interval numbers and the weight information on the attributes are expressed as IFNs. We first propose a novel exponential operational law based on IFNs and interval numbers, and then study some of its desirable properties. Based on the exponential operational law, we put forward an intuitionistic fuzzy weighted exponential aggregation operator, and utilize it to develop a MADM method. Finally, we apply our method to solve the decision making problem under uncertainty.     

Power average operators of trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and application to multi-attribute group decision making

Trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TrIFNs) is a special intuitionistic fuzzy set on a real number set. TrIFNs are useful to deal with ill-known quantities in decision data and decision making problems themselves. The focus of this paper is on multi-attribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems in which the attribute values are expressed with TrIFNs, which are solved by developing a new decision method based on power average operators of TrIFNs. The new operation laws for TrIFNs are given. From a viewpoint of Hausdorff metric, the Hamming and Euclidean distances between TrIFNs are defined. Hereby the power average operator of real numbers is extended to four kinds of power average operators of TrIFNs, involving the power average operator of TrIFNs, the weighted power average operator of TrIFNs, the power ordered weighted average operator of TrIFNs, and the power hybrid average operator of TrIFNs. In the proposed group decision method, the individual overall evaluation values of alternatives are generated by using the power average operator of TrIFNs. Applying the hybrid average operator of TrIFNs, the individual overall evaluation values of alternatives are then integrated into the collective ones, which are used to rank the alternatives. The example analysis shows the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed method.     

λ型传递矩阵与多因素模糊决策

基于已知常用的模糊矩阵传递性概念定义了λ型传递。给出了它的几个等价条件。研究它的图论特征，指出λ型传递矩阵的圈都过强对边二元圈。随后证明了与全传递模糊矩阵的等价性。进一步研究与截矩阵的性质一致问题，证明了λ型传递满足一致性。最后给出λ型传递在模糊排充中的应用，表明它是一种新的实用的多因素模糊决策的数学模型。     

An improved method on group decision making based on interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy prioritized operators

Interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy prioritized operators are widely used in group decision making under uncertain environment due to its flexibility to model uncertain information. However, there is a shortcoming in the existing aggregation operators (interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy prioritized weighted average (IVIFPWA)) to deal with group decision making in some extreme situations. For example, when an expert gives an absolute negative evaluation, the operators could lead to irrational results, so that they are not effectively enough to handle group decision making. In this paper, several examples are illustrated to show the unreasonable results in some of these situations. Actually, these unreasonable cases are common for operators in dealing with product averaging, not only emerging in IVIFPWA operators. To overcome the shortcoming of these kinds of operators, an improvement of making slight adjustment on initial evaluations is provided. Numerical examples are used to show the efficiency of the improvement.     

A novel approach to interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy soft set based decision making

The soft set theory, originally proposed by Molodtsov, can be used as a general mathematical tool for dealing with uncertainty. The interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy soft set is a combination of an interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy set and a soft set. The aim of this paper is to investigate the decision making based on interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets. By means of level soft sets, we develop an adjustable approach to interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets based decision making and some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the developed approach. Furthermore, we also define the concept of the weighted interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy soft set and apply it to decision making.     

A rough set approach to intuitionistic fuzzy soft set based decision making

The soft set theory, originally proposed by Molodtsov, can be used as a general mathematical tool for dealing with uncertainty. Since its appearance, there has been some progress concerning practical applications of soft set theory, especially the use of soft sets in decision making. The intuitionistic fuzzy soft set is a combination of an intuitionistic fuzzy set and a soft set. The rough set theory is a powerful tool for dealing with uncertainty, granuality and incompleteness of knowledge in information systems. Using rough set theory, this paper proposes a novel approach to intuitionistic fuzzy soft set based decision making problems. Firstly, by employing an intuitionistic fuzzy relation and a threshold value pair, we define a new rough set model and examine some fundamental properties of this rough set model. Then the concepts of approximate precision and rough degree are given and some basic properties are discussed. Furthermore, we investigate the relationship between intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets and intuitionistic fuzzy relations and present a rough set approach to intuitionistic fuzzy soft set based decision making. Finally, an illustrative example is employed to show the validity of this rough set approach in intuitionistic fuzzy soft set based decision making problems.