A Note on Z-numbers

作者：Zadeh Lotfi A^*

来源：Information Sciences, 2011, 181(14): 2923-2932.

DOI：10.1016/j.ins.2011.02.022

• Reliability
• Fuzzy logic
• Computing with words
• Granular computing
• Uncertain computing

Decisions are based on information. To be useful, information must be reliable. Basically, the concept of a Z-number relates to the issue of reliability of information. A Z-number, Z, has two components, Z = (A,B). The first component, A. is a restriction (constraint) on the values which a real-valued uncertain variable, X, is allowed to take. The second component, B, is a measure of reliability (certainty) of the first component. Typically, A and B are described in a natural language. Example: (about 45 min, very sure). An important issue relates to computation with Z-numbers. Examples: What is the sum of (about 45 min, very sure) and (about 30 min, sure)? What is the square root of (approximately 100, likely)? Computation with Z-numbers falls within the province of Computing with Words (CW or CWW). In this note, the concept of a Z-number is introduced and methods of computation with Z-numbers are outlined. The concept of a Z-number has a potential for many applications, especially in the realms of economics, decision analysis, risk assessment, prediction, anticipation and rule-based characterization of imprecise functions and relations.

• 出版日期2011-7-15