Problems of Decision-Making with Fuzzy Information

TLDR: The analytical approaches outlined here enable the analyst to use the information in a fuzzy form for narrowing down the scope of alternative decisions, by discarding those of them for which better alternatives can be found.

Abstract: A fuzzy set is a mathematical model of a collection of elements (objects) with fuzzy boundaries, which involves the possibility of gradual transition from complete belongness to nonbelongness of an element to a collection. This concept is introduced in the Fuzzy Sets Theory as the means to model mathematically fuzzy notions that are used by human beings in describing their understanding of real systems, their preferences, goals, etc. This introductory paper outlines various classes of problems of decision-making in a fuzzy environment, that is, in which information is modeled in terms of fuzzy sets and relations. The analytical approaches outlined here enable the analyst to use the information in a fuzzy form for narrowing down the scope of alternative decisions, by discarding those of them for which better alternatives can be found. A number of illustrative examples are discussed.