Triangular Fuzzy Numbers Multiplication: QKB method

Abstract

Triangular Fuzzy numbers (TFNs) are vast and common representation of fuzzy data in applied sciences. Multiplication is a very indispensable operation for fuzzy numbers. It is necessary to decompose fuzzy systems such as fully triangular fuzzy regression models where the unknown and unrestricted triangular fuzzy coefficients multiplied by known TFNs as data input. Tens of research works and application of triangular fuzzy regression have dealt with degenerated existing multiplication expressions. This paper highlighted the drawbacks of such expressions and propounded a simple method (named as QKB method). The method is a straightforward method where there is no exaggeration for multiplying two or more TFNs. It respects the trinity-order condition of a TFN where the number without it cannot be considered as a TFN. Besides, it is suitable for known and unknown multiplied TFNs with conserving homogeneity principle such that the resultant of two symmetric TFNs has to be symmetric either, to prove that a proposed new membership function for a TFN (named quantified membership function) has been used. Illustrative examples have shown the soundness of the proposed method and the drawbacks of existing expressions. Furthermore, its expression of multiplication is more efficient than other expression on the needs of computation.