This highly accessible introduction to the fundamentals of fuzzy sets and their applications covers fuzzy numbers, fuzzy programming, fuzzy controllers, qualitative fuzzy data analysis, and much more.

Fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic are powerful mathematical tools for modeling and controlling uncertain systems in industry, humanity, and nature; they are facilitators for approximate reasoning in decision making in the absence of complete and precise information. Their role is significant when applied to complex phenomena not easily described by traditional mathematics.The unique feature of the book is twofold: 1) It is the first introductory course (with examples and exercises) which brings in a systematic way fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic into the educational university and college system. 2) It is designed to serve as a basic text for introducing engineers and scientists from various fields to the theory of fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic, thus enabling them to initiate projects and make applications.

This book provides a timely and comprehensive overview of current theories and methods in fuzzy logic, as well as relevant applications in a variety of fields of science and technology. Dedicated to Lotfi A. Zadeh on his one year death anniversary, the book goes beyond a pure commemorative text. Yet, it offers a fresh perspective on a number of relevant topics, such as computing with words, theory of perceptions, possibility theory, and decision-making in a fuzzy environment. Written by Zadeh’s closest colleagues and friends, the different chapters are intended both as a timely reference guide and a source of inspiration for scientists, developers and researchers who have been dealing with fuzzy sets or would like to learn more about their potential for their future research.

This book is an excellent starting point for any curriculum in fuzzy systems fields such as computer science, mathematics, business/economics and engineering. It covers the basics leading to: fuzzy clustering, fuzzy pattern recognition, fuzzy database, fuzzy image processing, soft computing, fuzzy applications in operations research, fuzzy decision making, fuzzy rule based systems, fuzzy systems modeling, fuzzy mathematics. It is not a book designed for researchers - it is where you really learn the "basics" needed for any of the above-mentioned applications. It includes many figures and problem sets at the end of sections.

This book consists of selected papers written by the founder of fuzzy set theory, Lotfi A Zadeh. Since Zadeh is not only the founder of this field, but has also been the principal contributor to its development over the last 30 years, the papers contain virtually all the major ideas in fuzzy set theory, fuzzy logic, and fuzzy systems in their historical context. Many of the ideas presented in the papers are still open to further development. The book is thus an important resource for anyone interested in the areas of fuzzy set theory, fuzzy logic, and fuzzy systems, as well as their applications. Moreover, the book is also intended to play a useful role in higher education, as a rich source of supplementary reading in relevant courses and seminars.The book contains a bibliography of all papers published by Zadeh in the period 1949-1995. It also contains an introduction that traces the development of Zadeh's ideas pertaining to fuzzy sets, fuzzy logic, and fuzzy systems via his papers. The ideas range from his 1965 seminal idea of the concept of a fuzzy set to ideas reflecting his current interest in computing with words — a computing in which linguistic expressions are used in place of numbers.Places in the papers, where each idea is presented can easily be found by the reader via the Subject Index.

Ten years ago, Zadeh has brought into vogue the use of a name. Scientists no is an increasing less than poets strike off words that fit a situation. Today there recognition that for understanding vagueness, a fuzzy approach is required. We are just going through ~ transient period. From discussions of general philosophy to practical methods for system analysis. Unfortunately, much of the existing research is scattered. The practitioner interested in these methods face the challenge of sorting through a vast amount of literature to find a core on which to build. One of the objects of this book was to facilitate communication by bringing toge ther different viewpoints and coloring them from a common viewpoint. Since the romanian version appeared, at the very beginning of 1974, there has been a rapid growth in the literature of fuzzy modelling. A minor revision would have left the book quite out-of-date. The opportunity has been taken to correct, clarify, and update. Inexactness is implicit in human behaviour and erare humanum est. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the help we have received in preparing this version. The opportunity to see an english edition was a powerful stimulus, and we are grateful to Salomon Klaczko for making this possible. Another debt is to all fuzzy authors we have quoted. Their fascinating papers kindled our interest in the subject.