Finite-valued indistinguishability operators

Abstract

Fuzzy equality relations or indistinguishability operators generalize the concepts of crisp equality and equivalence relations in fuzzy systems where inaccuracy and uncertainty is dealt with. They generate fuzzy granularity and are an essential tool in Computing with Words (CWW). Traditionally, the degree of similarity between two objects is a number between 0 and 1, but in many occasions this assignment cannot be done in such a precise way and the use of indistinguishability operators valued on a finite set of linguistic labels such as small, very much, etc. would be advisable. Recent advances in the study of finite-valued t-norms allow us to combine this kind of linguistic labels and makes the development of a theory of finite-valued indistinguishability operators and their application to real problems possible.