Information Sciences 290 (2015) 134155

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Information Sciences
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ins

The arithmetic of discrete Z-numbers

R.A. Aliev a,, A.V. Alizadeh b,c, O.H. Huseynov d
a

Joint MBA Program, USA, Azerbaijan, 20 Azadlig Ave., AZ1010 Baku, Azerbaijan
Department of Mathematics and Informatics of Azerbaijan University, S. Dadashov, 84, AZ1141 Baku, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan Association of Zadehs Legacy, Salaxaninskaya str., 7a, AZ1027 Baku, Azerbaijan
d
Department of Computer-Aided Control Systems, Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, 20 Azadlig Ave., AZ1010 Baku, Azerbaijan
b
c

a r t i c l e

i n f o

Article history:
Received 3 July 2013
Received in revised form 7 July 2014
Accepted 7 August 2014
Available online 14 August 2014
Keywords:
Z-number
A discrete Z-number
A discrete fuzzy number
A discrete probability distribution
Convolution
A probability measure

a b s t r a c t
Real-world information is imperfect and is usually described in natural language (NL).
Moreover, this information is often partially reliable and a degree of reliability is also
expressed in NL. In view of this, L.A. Zadeh suggested the concept of a Z-number as a more
adequate concept for description of real-world information. A Z-number is an ordered pair
Z A; B of fuzzy numbers A and B used to describe a value of a random variable X, where
A is an imprecise estimation of a value of X and B is an imprecise estimation of reliability of
A. The main critical problem that naturally arises in processing Z-numbers-based information is computation with Z-numbers. The general ideas underlying computation with continuous Z-numbers (Z-numbers with continuous components) is suggested by the author
of the Z-number concept. However, as he mentions, Problems involving computation with
Z-numbers is easy to state but far from easy to solve. Nowadays there is no arithmetic of
Z-numbers suggested in the existing literature. Taking into account the fact that real problems are characterized by linguistic information which is, as a rule, described by a discrete
set of meaningful linguistic terms, in our study we consider discrete Z-numbers. We suggest theoretical aspects of such arithmetic operations over discrete Z-numbers as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division, square root of a Z-number and other operations. The
validity of the suggested approach is demonstrated by a series of numerical examples.
2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
We often use natural language (NL) in order to represent real-world information due to imperfect nature of the latter. On
the one hand, such information is often characterized by fuzziness [26]. This implies that we often impose soft constraints on
values of variables of interest. On the other hand, what is very important is that it is not sufcient to take into account only
fuzziness when dealing with real-world imperfect information. The other essential property of information is its partial reliability. Indeed, any estimation of values of interest, be it precise or soft, are subject to the condence in sources of information we deal with knowledge, assumptions, intuition, envision, experience which, in general, cannot completely cover the
whole complexity of real-world phenomena. Thus, fuzziness from the one side and partial reliability form the other side are
strongly associated to each other. In order to take into account this fact, L.A. Zadeh suggested the concept of a Z-number as a
more adequate formal construct for description of real-world information. A Z-number is an ordered pair Z A; B of fuzzy

Corresponding author. Tel./fax: +994 12 5984509.

E-mail addresses: raliev@asoa.edu.az (R.A. Aliev), akifoder@yahoo.com (A.V. Alizadeh), oleg_huseynov@yahoo.com (O.H. Huseynov).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ins.2014.08.024
0020-0255/ 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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135

numbers used to describe a value of a variable X, where A is an imprecise constraint on values of X and B is an imprecise
estimation of reliability of A and is considered as a value of probability measure of A.
Let us provide some intuitive examples of Z-numbers. Consider a problem of a large rms business development. Suppose that the management of the rm addresses to a research company for a prediction of a state of economy for the next
year. The experts naturally do not provide the management with the certain numerical information but would rather provide
the prediction like this one:
(strong growth, likely).
This prediction can be formalized as a Z-number-based evaluation X is Z A; B, where X is the variable state of economy, A is a fuzzy set used to describe the soft constraint strong growth and B is a fuzzy number to describe a soft constraint on
a partial reliability of A. Let us now give another example. Consider prediction of world market oil price. As it is known, this
price may notably change and this is related with an interaction of economical, political and other factors. When one says oil
price will be signicantly higher than 100 dollars/barrel, this, in general, is considered as the most probable event, but not as
reliable with 100%. More realistic prediction would be:
(oil price will be signicantly higher than 100 dollars/barrel, very likely).
This can be described as X is Z A; B, where X is the variable oil price, A is a fuzzy set to describe the soft constraint
signicantly higher than 100 dollars/barrel for an oil price, and B is a fuzzy probability of A to describe a belief degree very
likely.
Let us note that the Z-number concept is not the rst attempt to model real-world uncertainty which is too complex
to be captured by interval or fuzzy number-based representations. In fuzzy numbers, uncertainty is described by a
numerical membership function. This means that they do not take into account inferred uncertainty interval. The rst
attempt to deal with such uncertainty intervals was made in the theory of type-2 fuzzy sets[912,21]. However, in contrast to a type-2 fuzzy set, a Z-number explicitly represents reliability described in NL, and is a more structured formal
construct. Hence, processing of Z-information requires to develop a new theory, new approaches and methodologies of
computation with Z-numbers.
The concept of a Z-number was suggested by L. A. Zadeh in [34]. The author provides clear motivation on the use of
Z-numbers as formal constructs for summaries of information underlying every day human decision activity, and presents simple examples. In this paper, the general framework for computations over Z-numbers on the base of the
Zadehs extension principle is suggested. In particular, a general approach to implementation of arithmetic operations
over two Z-numbers is expressed. The suggested approach has strong mathematical basis, it is actually concerns computation of a Z-number-valued function of Z-number-valued arguments. However, its practical realization is computationally very complex, it includes several variational problems. For overcoming this complexity, few simplications
are suggested. One simplication concerns using typical probability distributions of a random variable X under consideration(e.g. Gaussian distribution etc) and the other one is to approximate fuzzy number A by its bandwidth Ab which is
a numeric interval.In the paper, it is also mentioned an issue of ranking Z-numbers as a very important problem, but an
approach to solving it is not suggested. Also, taking into account successful applications of fuzzy IfTHEN rules for solving wide spectrum of real-world problems, Zadeh provides brief discussion on crucial importance of development of Zrules IfTHEN rules with Z-number valued components, which naturally would have expressive power.In general,
paper [34] is a pioneering paper which opens a door for a lot of potential applications of computing with Z-numbers
and states several related important problems.
In [15] the authors suggest an approach for converting a Z-number to a fuzzy number[35]on the base of a fuzzy expectation of a fuzzy set. According to the suggested approach, the second component B is defuzzied to a numeric value a. Next
the rst component A is multiplied by a and the resulting fuzzy number is considered as a transformation of an original Znumber. The motivation of the suggested approach is to utilize useful information contained in Z-numbers in the area of such
successful applications of the fuzzy set theory as control, decision making, modeling and others. The advantage of the suggested approach is represented by its low analytical and computational complexity, which allows for a wide spectrum of its
application. However, it should be mentioned that converting Z-numbers to classical fuzzy numbers[17,19] leads to loss of
original information.
In [16] they considered an approach to multi-criteria decision making with Z-numbers on the base of the approach given
in [15]. In the suggested framework, criteria weights and criteria values of alternatives are given as Z-numbers. An example
of selection a vehicle for journey is provided to illustrate the suggested approach. However, the overall performance evaluations of alternatives are computed as real numbers. This implies signicant loss of information contained in the original Znumbers and, therefore, the comparison of alternatives may not be adequate or trustful.
Papers [32,33] are devoted to new representations, approaches and applications of Z-numbers in various important elds.
It is suggested to consider a Z-valuation X; A; B in terms of a possibility distribution Gp over probability distributions p
which underlie the corresponding Z-number Z A; B. Based on such representation, the author suggests manipulations
over Z-valuations and their applications to reasoning, decision making and answering questions. Several detailed examples
on computation with Z-information are provided to illustrate usefulness of the suggested approach which is based on the use
of Gp. Another important potential impact of Z-numbers considered in [32,33] is their application to formalization of
linguistic summaries. The author also suggests an alternative formulation of Z-information in terms of a Dempster-Shafer
belief structure[27] which involves type-2 fuzzy sets[22,26,40]. However, in the suggested approach only typical distributions are considered. In order to use any typical distribution, the corresponding assumptions must be initially veried for

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a phenomenon under consideration.In general, this is not always possible when relevant information is imperfect and the
properties of the phenomenon are not well-known. For example, in many real-life applications, the part B of a Z-number
(the reliability) is subjectively assigned by a human being. Indeed, we may not know the pattern that subjective probabilities
underlying B follow. From the other side, if a suitable typical distribution is known, one will deal with high computational
complexity conditioned by non-linear variational problems. In the paper, it is also suggested to rank Z-numbers by proceeding to the corresponding fuzzy numbers. Each fuzzy number is obtained from a Z-valuation X; A; B as a fuzzy expected value
of X calculated by using a fuzzy set of probability distributions induced by A and B. The resulting fuzzy numbers are then
compared on the base of their defuzzied values. However, this comparison is based on reducing a Z-number to a numeric
value which is naturally characterized by sufcient loss of information.
The work [38] is devoted to the issues of computation over continuous Z-numbers and several important practical problems in control, decision making and other areas. The suggested investigation is based on the use of normal density functions
for modeling random variables. A special emphasis in some of the examples is made on calculus of Z-rules. A series of
detailed illustrative examples is provided on solving problems with Z-information in the realm of economics, social sphere,
engineering, everyday activity and other elds. The examples are supported by a lot of conceptual schemes of processing Zinformation.
Paper [2] is devoted to decisions under uncertainty when decision-relevant information is described by Z-numbers.
The authors formulate the problem of decision making when probabilities of states of nature and outcomes of
alternatives are described by Z-numbers. The suggested decision analysis is based on two main stages. At the rst
stage, analogously to [16], Z-numbers are reduced to fuzzy numbers on the base of the approach suggested in [15].
At the second stage, values of fuzzy utility function for alternatives are computed and an alternative with the highest
fuzzy utility value is chosen as the best one. As fuzzy utility models a fuzzy expected utility and a fuzzy Choquet
expected utility [4] are considered. The main advantage of the suggested research is that it is the rst work on solving
decision problems under uncertainty described by Z-information, including modeling of non-additivity of preferences of
a decision maker. The main disadvantage is related to the loss of information resulting from converting Z-numbers to
fuzzy numbers.
Paper [6] is devoted to potential contributions of application of a Z-number concept to development of computing with
words (CWW) methodology. The authors suggest an approach to CWW using Z-numbers and provide a real-life illustrating
example.
In [24] the authors of [6] suggest an outline of the general principles, challenges and perspectives of CWW in light of the
Z-number concept and consider issues of integration of CWW and Natural Language Processing technology. The work [23] is
also devoted to Z-numbers based approach to CWW. The authors suggest basis for a system of processing sentences in NL by
using Bayes approach and Shannons entropy theorem.
In [18] they suggest an enhanced inference engine toolkit for implementation of CWW technologies in a general scope
including combinations of fuzzy IfTHEN rules, fuzzy arithmetic and fuzzy probabilities. The authors mention that the suggested toolkit can be further developed to apply for computation with Z-numbers, without involvement into problems with
high computational complexity.
In [5] they consider an application of the AHP approach under Z-information. The suggested procedure is based on the
approach proposed in [15]. However, despite that in the suggested procedure alternatives are described in the realm of Zinformation, they are compared on the basis of numeric overall utilities. Unfortunately, this signicantly reduces benets
of using Z-information.
In [20] decision making under interval, set-valued, fuzzy, and Z-number uncertainty are considered. The decision analysis
technique suggested by the authors is based on the fair price approach.
In [28] they suggest several approaches of approximate evaluation of a Z-number in order to reduce computational complexity. One of the suggested approaches is based on approximation of a fuzzy set of probability densities by means of fuzzy
IfTHEN rules.
In the existing papers, processing of information described by Z-numbers is reduced to well-known computation with
fuzzy numbers, where the latter are obtained as simplication of original data with partial reliability. Such indirect approach
always leads to loss and distortion of information.
We can conclude that the existing literature devoted to computation with Z-numbers is quite scarce.Unfortunately,
there is no general and computationally effective approach to computations with Z-numbers. There is a need in development of a universal approach to computations with Z-numbers which can be relatively easily applied for solving a wide
spectrum of real-world problems in control, decision analysis, optimization and other areas. Real-world information is
often represented in a framework of Z-valuations. Such information is referred to as Z-information. Processing of such
information is, therefore, needed for solving a large variety of real-world problems. Main issues here are computation
and reasoning with Z-information. In turn, these processes are characterized by propagation of restrictions, that is, they
are represented by restriction-based computation and reasoning. As it is mentioned in [39], the principal types of restrictions are probabilistic, possibilistic and combinations of probabilistic and possibilistic restrictions. Indeed, Z-information
falls within the category of possibilistic-probabilistic restrictions. Nowadays, the existing literature devoted to computation
and reasoning with restrictions includes well-developed approaches and theories to deal with pure probabilistic or pure
possibilistic restrictions. For computation with probabilistic restrictions as probability distributions the well-known

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137

probabilistic arithmetic is used. Fuzzy arithmetic deals with possibilistic constraints, which describe objects as classes with
unsharp boundaries.
Unfortunately, up to day there is no approach to computation and reasoning with objects described by combination of
probabilistic and possibilistic restrictions, such as Z-numbers. Arithmetic of Z-numbers is a basis of a future mathematical
formalism to process Z-information. Arithmetic of Z-numbers is greater than just mechanical sum of probabilistic arithmetic and fuzzy arithmetic, it is a synergy of these two counterparts. Consequently, development of this arithmetic
requires generalization of the extension principle to deal with a fusion of probabilistic and possibilistic restrictions. In turn,
computation of restrictions is computation of functions and functionals that involves optimization problems, particularly,
mathematical programming and variation problems. The suggested paper is the rst fundamental work on development of
basics of direct computation with Z-numbers. In the present paper we suggest theoretical basics of the arithmetic of discrete Z-numbers, that is, Z-numbers whose components are discrete fuzzy numbers. The motivation to use discrete Z-numbers is based on three main aspects. The rst is that due to highly constrained computational ability of the human brain, a
human being uses linguistic description of real-world information. In turn, linguistic information, as a rule, is represented
on the base of a discrete set of linguistic terms. The second aspect is the fact that computation with discrete fuzzy numbers
[7,8,25] and discrete probability distributions are characterized by a signicantly lower computational complexity than
that with continuous fuzzy numbers [17,19] and density functions. The third aspect is the universality of uncertainty modeling. Indeed, in discrete case one does not need to assume a type of probability distribution that will constrain modeling
ability, but can consider a general case.
The paper is structured as follows. Section 2 contains a prerequisite material underlying the proposed framework of arithmetic of Z-numbers. In Section 3 we present the proposed framework including the basic arithmetic operations on discrete
Z-numbers and other operations. The proposed framework is accompanied with a series of illustrative examples on all the
operations considered in the suggested arithmetic. Section 4 offers conclusions.
2. Preliminaries
Denition 1 ([7,8,29,30] A discrete fuzzy number). A fuzzy subset A of the real line R with membership function
lA : R ! 0; 1 is a discrete fuzzy number if its support is nite, i.e. there exist x1 ; . . . ; xn 2 R with x1 < x2 <    < xn , such that
supp A fx1 ; . . . ; xn g and there exist natural numbers s; t with 1 6 s 6 t 6 n satisfying the following conditions:
1.
2.
3.

lA xi 1 for any natural number i with s 6 i 6 t,

lA xi 6 lA xj for each natural numbers i; j with 1 6 i 6 j 6 s,
lA xi P lA xj for each natural numbers i; j with t 6 i 6 j 6 n.

Denition 2 ([13] Random variables and probability distributions). A random variable, X, is a variable whose possible values x
are numerical outcomes of a random phenomenon. Random variables are of two types:continuous and discrete.
A continuous random variable X is a variable which can take an innite number of possible values x. A discrete random
variable is a variable which can take only a countable number of distinct values.
To determine a probability that a continuous random variable X takes any value in a closed interval [a; b], denoted
Pa 6 X 6 b, a concept of probability distribution is used. A probability distribution or a probability density function is a
function px such that for any two numbers a and b with a 6 b:

Pa 6 X 6 b

pxdx;

R1
where px P 0; 1 pxdx 1.
Consider a discrete random variable X with outcomes space fx1 ; . . . ; xn g. A probability of an outcome X xi , denoted
PX xi is dened in terms of a probability distribution. A function p is called a discrete probability distribution or a
probability mass function if

PX xi pxi ;
P
where pxi 2 0; 1 and ni1 pxi 1.
Consider two independent random variables X 1 and X 2 with probability distributions p1 and p2 respectively [13,31]. Let
X 12 X 1  X 2 ,  2 f; ; ; =g. Suppose we would like to determine a probability distribution p12 of X 12 . Below a denition of a
probability distribution p12 is given.
Denition 3 ([13,31] Arithmetic operations of random variables). Let X 1 and X 2 be two independent continuous random
variables with probability distributions p1 and p2 . A probability distribution p12 of X 12 X 1  X 2 ,  2 f; ; ; =g is
referred to as a convolution (a resulting probability distribution of an arithmetic operation) of p1 and p2 and is dened
as follows.

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R.A. Aliev et al. / Information Sciences 290 (2015) 134155

X 12 X 1 X 2 : p12 x

p1 x1 p2 x  x1 dx1 ;

Z1
1

p1 x1 p2 x1  xdx1 ;
X 12 X 1  X 2 : p12 x
Z 1 1
1
p1 x1 p2 x=x1
dx1 ;
X 12 X 1 X 2 : p12 x
j x1 j
1
Z 1
X 12 X 1 =X 2 : p12 x
jx1 jp1 x1 p2 x1 =xdx1 :
1

Let X 1 and X 2 be two independent discrete random variables with the corresponding outcome spaces
X1 fx11 ; . . . ; x1i ; . . . ; x1n1 g and X2 fx21 ; . . . ; x2i ; . . . ; x2n2 g and the corresponding discrete probability distributions p1 and
p2 . The probability distribution of X 1  X 2 is the convolution p12 p1  p2 of p1 and p2 which is determined as follows:

p12 x

p1 x1 p2 x2 ;

xx1 x2

for any x 2 fx1  x2 jx1 2 X1 ; x2 2 X2 g; x1 2 X1 , x2 2 X2 .

In general, convolution is a mathematical operation on two functions producing a third function. In this paper, for four
arithmetic operations ; ; ; = we used formulas for calculation of a resulting probability distribution obtained from two
probability distributions. Sometimes, in literature a convolution term is used for calculation of probability distribution of
sum of two random variables only.
Denition 4 ([37] Probability measure of a discrete fuzzy number). Let A be a discrete fuzzy number. A probability measure of
A denoted PA is dened as

PA

n
X

lA xi pxi lA xj1 pj xj1 lA xj2 pj xj2    lA xjnj pj xjnj :

i1

Below we present a denition of addition of discrete fuzzy numbers suggested in [7,8,29,30]. In this denition, non-interactive fuzzy numbers are considered.
Denition 5 ([7,8,29,30] Addition of discrete fuzzy numbers). For discrete fuzzy numbers A1 ; A2 their addition A12 A1 A2 is
the discrete fuzzy number whose a -cut is dened as

Aa12 fx 2 fsupp A1 supp A2 gj minfAa1 Aa2 g 6 x 6 maxfAa1 Aa2 gg;

where supp A1 supp A2 fx1 x2 jxj 2 supp Aj ; j 1; 2g; minfAa1 Aa2 g minfx1 x2 jxj 2 Aaj ; j 1; 2g; maxfAa1 Aa2 g
maxfx1 x2 jxj 2 Aaj ; j 1; 2g and the membership function is dened as

lA1 A2 x supfa 2 0; 1jx 2 fAa1 Aa2 gg:

The authors of the present paper suggest several denitions be used in the suggested arithmetic of discrete Z-numbers (Definitions 612). In these denitions, as well as in Denition 5, non-interactive fuzzy numbers are considered.
Denition 6 (Standard subtraction of discrete fuzzy numbers). For discrete fuzzy numbers A1 ; A2 their standard subtraction
A12 A1  A2 is the discrete fuzzy number whose a -cut is dened as

Aaj fx 2 fsupp A1  supp A2 gj minfAa1  Aa2 g 6 x 6 maxfAa1  Aa2 gg;

where

supp A1  supp A2 fx1  x2 jxj 2 supp Aj ; j 1; 2g;

minfAa1  Aa2 g minfx1  x2 jxj 2 Aaj ; j 1; 2g;
maxfAa1  Aa2 g maxfx1  x2 jxj 2 Aaj ; j 1; 2g
and the membership function is dened as

lA1 A2 x supfa 2 0; 1jx 2 fAa1  Aa2 gg:

For the standard subtraction one has:

A2 A1  A2 A1 :
Denition 7 (Hukuhara difference of discrete fuzzy numbers). For discrete fuzzy numbers A1 ; A2 their Hukuhara difference
denoted A1 h A2 is the discrete fuzzy number A12 such that

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139

A1 A2 A12 :
Hukuhara difference exists only if n P m. Denote supp A1 fx11 ; . . . ; x1n g; Aa1 fxa1 1a ; . . . ; xa1 na g; 1a ; na 2 f1; . . . ; ng and
supp A2 fx21 ; .. .;x2m g; Aa2 fxa2 1a ;. .. ;xa2 ma g; 1a ;ma 2 f1;.. .; mg. Hukuhara difference A12 , where supp A12 fx1 ;. .. ;xk g;
Aa12 fxla ;. .. ;xra g;la ;r a 2 f1;.. .; kg exists if and only if cardinality of Aa1 is not lower than that of Aa2 for any a 2 0; 1, and
the following is satised:

Aa1

ra l
a 1
[

Aa1;i ;

i1

where Aa1;i fxa1 i1 ; . . . ; xa1

im g; x1 ij1

 xa1

ij

xa2j1  xa2j , j 1; . . . ; m; a 2 0; 1.

Denition 8 (Multiplication of discrete fuzzy numbers). For discrete fuzzy numbers A1 ; A2 their multiplication A12 A1  A2 is
the discrete fuzzy number whose a -cut is dened as

Aaj fx 2 fsuppA1  suppA2 gj minfAa1  Aa2 g 6 x 6 maxfAa1  Aa2 gg;

where

suppA1  suppA2 fx1  x2 jxj 2 suppAj ; j 1; 2g;

minfAa1  Aa2 g minfx1  x2 jxj 2 Aaj ; j 1; 2g;
maxfAa1  Aa2 g maxfx1  x2 jxj 2 Aaj ; j 1; 2g
and the membership function is dened as

lA1 A2 x supfa 2 0; 1jx 2 fAa1  Aa2 gg:

Denition 9 (Standard division of discrete fuzzy numbers). For discrete fuzzy numbers A1 ; A2 given that 0 R suppA2 their
standard division A12 A1 =A2 is the discrete fuzzy number whose a -cut is dened as

Aa12 fx 2 fsuppA1 =suppA2 gj minfAa1 =Aa2 g 6 x 6 maxfAa1 =Aa2 gg;

where

suppA1 =suppA2 fx1 =x2 jxj 2 suppAj ; j 1; 2g;

minfAa1 =Aa2 g minfx1 =x2 jxj 2 Aaj ; j 1; 2g;
maxfAa1 =Aa2 g maxfx1 =x2 jxj 2 suppAj ; j 1; 2g
and the membership function is dened as

lA1 =A2 x supfa 2 0; 1jx 2 fAa1 =Aa2 gg:

For the standard division one has:

A2  A1 =A2 A1 :
Denition 10 (A square of a discrete fuzzy number). For a discrete fuzzy number A its square A2 is the discrete fuzzy number
whose a -cut is dened as

A2

ia

fy 2 suppA2 j minAa 6 y 6 maxAa g

where

suppA2 fyjy x2 ; x 2 suppAg;

2

min Aa minfyjy x2 ; x 2 Aa g;
2

max Aa maxfyjy x2 ; x 2 Aa g

h ia  
2
Thus, A2 Aa . The membership function of A2 is dened as

ia

lA2 y supfa 2 0; 1jy 2 A2 g:

Denition
11 (A square root of a discrete fuzzy number). For a discrete fuzzy number A, where suppA  0; 1, its square
p
root A is the discrete fuzzy number whose a -cut is dened as

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hpia
p
p
p
A fy 2 supp Aj min Aa 6 y 6 max Aa g
where

p
p
supp A fyjy x; x 2 suppAg;
p
p
min Aa minfyjy x; x 2 Aa g;
p
p
max Aa maxfyjy x; x 2 Aa g
Thus,

hpia p
p
A Aa . The membership function of A is dened as

lpA y sup a 2 0; 1jy 2

hpia o
:
A

Denition 12 (A discrete Z-number). A discrete Z-number is an ordered pair Z A; B where A is a discrete fuzzy number
playing a role of a fuzzy constraint on values that a random variable X may take:

X is A;
and B is a discrete fuzzy number with a membership function lB : fb1 ; . . . ; bn g ! 0; 1; fb1 ; . . . ; bn g  0; 1, playing a role of a
fuzzy constraint on the probability measure of A:

PA is B:
A concept of a discrete Z -number is closely related to the concept of a discrete Z-number. Given a discrete Z-number
Z A; B, Z -number Z is a pair consisting of a fuzzy number, A, and a random number R:

Z A; R;
where A plays the same role as it does in a discrete Z-number Z A; B and R plays the role of the probability distribution p,
P
such that PA ni1 lA xi pxi ; PA 2 suppB.
In order to better understand the difference between the concepts of a discrete Z-number and a discrete Z+-number, let us
recall our example provided in Section 1:
(oil price will be notably higher than 100 dollars/barrel, very likely).
This linguistic partially reliable information can be described by a Z-number Z A; B where A and B are shown in Fig. 1.
For better illustration in this gure and the other gures in the paper, we mainly use continuous representation for graphs of
membership functions, where discrete points are connected by continuous curves.
The fuzzy number B plays a role of a soft constraint on a value of probability measure PA of A. As PA is determined on
the base of some probability distribution (see Denition 4), fuzziness of PA implies that actual probability distribution is
not known. In contrast, due to natural imprecision of the term very likely, one has to use soft constraint on possible probability distributions, or, in other words, a fuzzy set of probability distributions.
In the case when the actual probability distribution p is known, the concept of a discrete Z+-number Z A; p is used
(Fig. 2). This is the case when information related to probability measure PA is more complete, and that is why + is used
in the upper index of Z.
The actual probability distribution p induces the exact value of a probability measure PA of A. For the Z A; p shown
in Fig. 2, the computed value of PA is shown in the Fig. 3.
Therefore, the considered Z A; p encodes the following information:
(oil price will be notably higher than 100 dollars/barrel, the probability is 0.8).
Surely, this is more certain statement than the previous one, but it is not realistic.

Fig. 1. Z-number Z A; B used to describe linguistic partially reliable information on oil price: (a) a discrete fuzzy number A, (b) a discrete fuzzy number
B.

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141

Fig. 2. Z+-number Z A; p with a discrete fuzzy number A (dashed curve) and a discrete probability distribution (solid curve).

Fig. 3. The exact value of a probability measure PA.

3. Operations over discrete Z-numbers

3.1. Arithmetic operations
3.1.1. Continuous and discrete Z-numbers: discussion
Prior to describe the suggested arithmetic of Z-numbers, let us shortly express the general framework of computation
with Z-numbers suggested by Zadeh [34]. This will help us to understand the mathematical problems involved into the computations and the important related issues.
Let Z 1 A1 ; B1 and Z 2 A2 ; B2 be continuous Z-numbers describing values of uncertain real-valued variables X 1 and X 2 .
Assume that it is needed to compute Z 12 Z 1  Z 2 ;  2 f; ; ; =g. Computation with continuous Z-numbers starts with the

computation over the corresponding continuous Z -numbers Z

1 A1 ; R1 and Z 2 A2 ; R2 , where R1 and R2 are probability
density functions. Therefore, it is needed rst to compute

Z 12 Z 1  Z 2 A1  A2 ; R1  R2 :
For simplicity, let us consider the case when  is a sum and suppose that X 1 and X 2 are independent. As the operands in
A1  A2 and in R1  R2 are represented by different types of restrictions, then the meanings of  are also different [34]. A1 A2
is dened as

lA1 A2 x supminflA1 x1 ; lA2 x  x1 g:

x1

In turn, R1  R2 is a probability density

pR1 R2 x

pR1 x1 pR2 x  x1 dx:

Therefore, Z
12 A12 ; pR1 R2 , where A12 A1 A2 .
Now we realize that true probability distributions pR1 and pR2 are not known. In contrast, the following fuzzy restrictions
on pR1 and pR2 are given:

ZR
R

lA1 x1 pR1 x1 dx1 is B1 ;

lA2 x2 pR2 x2 dx2 is B2 ;

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which are represented in terms of membership functions as

lB1
lB2

Z

ZR
R

lA1 x1 pR1 x1 dx1 ;



lA2 x2 pR2 x2 dx2 :

Therefore, information on probability distributions of pR1 and pR2 is represented by fuzzy restrictions lpR pR1
R

R

1
lB1 R lA1 x1 pR1 x1 dx1 and lpR pR2 lB2 R lA2 x2 pR2 x2 dx2 . As a result, an available information about pR1 R2 x will
2

also be represented by a fuzzy restriction. The problem of construction of this fuzzy restriction is formulated as

lpR R pR1 R2 sup min lpR pR1 ; lpR pR2

1

pR ;pR
1

o

subject to

pR1 R2 x

pR1 x1 pR2 x  x1 dx;

Z

lpR pR1 lB1
lA1 x1 pR1 x1 dx1 ;
1
ZR

lpR pR2 lB2
lA2 x2 pR2 x2 dx2 ;
2
R
Z
Z
pR1 x1 dx1 1; pR2 x2 dx2 1;

3
4
5

compatibility conditions:

Z
R

R
R

x1 pR1 x1 dx1 R

x1 lA1 x1 dx1

l x1 dx1
R A1

Z
;
R

R
R
x2 pR2 x2 dx2 R

x2 lA2 x2 dx2

lA2 x2 dx2

As one can see, (1)(6) is a very complex nonlinear variational problem. More concretely, this is a problem of construction
of a membership function over a set of convolutions pR1 R2 x and the operands of the problem are probability densities
pR1 x1 and pR2 x2 which are considered in a general sense. This problem can be simplied if one can impose a reasonable
assumption to use some typical form of distribution like, for example, Gaussian type of distribution. However, even in that
case, the problem remains very complex both from analytical and computational points of view.
Once lpR R has been constructed, we should proceed to the nal stage of computation of a desired Z-number
1

Z 12 A12 ; B12 , that is, to a determination of B12 . This problem is formulated as follows:

lB12 b12 suplpR R pR1 R2

1

subject to

b12

Z
R

pR1 R2 xlA12 xdx:

As it is obvious, one again deals with a nonlinear variational problem. In order to overcome complexity of operations with
continuous Z-numbers, we suggest an alternative approach. This approach consists in consideration of discrete Z-numbers as
discrete analogs of continuous Z-numbers. The main reason to use discrete Z-numbers is the fact that real-world problems
are characterized by linguistic relevant information. In turn, linguistic information is always described by a set of meaningful
linguistic terms. For example, consider the following Z-number-based evaluation[34]:(the price of oil in the near future is
medium, very likely)
As one can see, linguistic terms are used in this evaluation. This means that Z-numbers are based on the use of a sets of
linguistic terms. Such sets can be represented by ordinal linguistic scales.In the considered case, one may consider the ordinal linguistic scales with, for example, eleven linguistic terms M? fVL; L; . . . ; M; . . . ; H; VHg, where the letters denote linguistic terms very low, low,. . .,medium,. . ., high, very high and N fU; NVL; . . . ; L; . . . ; VL; ELg, where the letters denote
linguistic terms unlikely, not very likely, . . ., likely, . . ., very likely, extremely likely. The terms of the considered scales are
ordered in an increasing order:VL  L      M      H  VH and U  NVL      L      VL  EL. Therefore, one can
consecutively number the linguistic terms in the considered scales and arrive at an ordered set L f0; 1; . . . ; ng.
Consideration of discrete Z-numbers instead of their continuous counterparts also allows us to signicantly improve
tradeoff between adequacy and universality from the one side and computational complexity from the other side. Universality implies that one does not need to think about type of probability distributions and can consider a general case. Concerning loss of accuracy as a result of proceeding from continuous forms of membership functions and probability
distributions to discrete forms, in many problems it may not be signicant from qualitative point of view. At the same time,
computational complexity of dealing with discrete Z-numbers is signicantly lower than that with continuous Z-numbers.

R.A. Aliev et al. / Information Sciences 290 (2015) 134155

143

As it will be shown, operations over discrete Z-numbers involve only linear programming problems but not non-linear variational problems.
3.1.2. Addition of discrete Z-numbers
Let Z 1 A1 ; B1 and Z 2 A2 ; B2 be discrete Z-numbers describing imperfect information about values of real-valued
random variables X 1 and X 2 . Consider the problem of computation of addition Z 12 Z 1 Z 2 . Computation with discrete Znumbers, as that with continuous Z-numbers, starts with the computation over the corresponding discrete Z -numbers.

The discrete Z -number Z

12 Z 1 Z 2 is determined as follows:

Z 1 Z 2 A1 A2 ; R1 R2 ;
where R1 and R2 are represented by discrete probability distributions:

p1 p1 x11 n x11 p1 x12 n x12    p1 x1n n x1n ;

p2 p2 x21 n x21 p2 x22 n x22    p2 x2n n x2n ;
for which one necessarily has
n
X
p1 x1k 1;

k1
n
X

p2 x2k 1:

10

k1

As the operands in A1 A2 and in R1 R2 are represented by different types of restrictions, then the meanings of  are also
different [34]. The addition A1 A2 of discrete fuzzy numbers is dened in accordance with Denition 5 and R1 R2 is a convolution p12 p1  p2 of discrete probability distributions dened in accordance with Denition 3:

p12 x

p1 x1i p2 x2j :

11

xx1i x2j

So, we will have Z

12 as Z 12 A1 A2 ; p12 , which is the result of computation with discrete Z -numbers being the rst
step of computation with Z-numbers.
At the next stage we realize that in Z-numbers Z 1 A1 ; B1 and Z 2 A2 ; B2 , the true probability distributions p1 and p2
are not exactly known. In contrast, the information available is represented by the fuzzy restrictions:

n1
X

lA1 x1k p1 x1k is B1 ;

k1
n2
X

lA2 x2k p2 x2k is B2 ;

k1

which are represented in terms of the membership functions as

lB1

n1
X

lA1 x1k p1 x1k ;

k1

lB2

n2
X

lA2 x2k p2 x2k :

k1

These restrictions imply that one has the fuzzy sets of probability distributions of p1 and p2 with the membership functions dened as

lp1 p1 lB1

n1
X

lA1 x1k p1 x1k ;

k1

lp2 p2 lB2

n2
X

lA2 x2k p2 x2k :

k1

Thus, Bj ; j 1; 2 is a discrete fuzzy number, which play the role of a soft constraint on a value of a probability measure of
Aj . Therefore, basic values bjl 2 suppBj ; j 1; 2; l 1; . . . ; m of a discrete fuzzy number Bj ; j 1; 2 are values of a probability
measure of Aj , bjl PAj and thus, according to Denition 4, given bjl we have to nd such probability distribution pjl which
satisfy:

bjl lAj xj1 pjl xj1 lAj xj2 pjl xj2    lAj xjnj pjl xjnj :
At the same time we know that pjl has to satisfy:

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R.A. Aliev et al. / Information Sciences 290 (2015) 134155

nj
X
pjl xjk 1; pjl xjk P 0:
k1

Therefore, the following goal programming problem should be solved to nd pj :

lAj xj1 pjl xj1 lAj xj1 pjl xj1    lAj xjnj pjl xjnj ! bjl

12

subject to

pjl xj1 pjl xj2    pjl xjn 1

pjl xj1 ; pjl xj2 ; . . . ; pjl xjn P 0

)
:

13

Now, denote ck lAj xjk and v k pj xjk ; k 1; . . . ; n. As ck and bjl are known numbers and v k are unknown decision variables, we see that the problem (12) and (13) is nothing but the following goal linear programming problem:

c1 v 1 c2 v 2    cn v n ! bjl

12a

subject to

v1 v2    vn 1
:
v 1; v 2; . . . ; v n P 0
Having obtained the solution v k ; k 1; . . . ; n of problem (12a) and (13a) for each l 1; . . . ; m,
v k pjl xjk ; k 1; . . . ; n. As a result, pjl xjk ; k 1; . . . ; n is found and, therefore, the probability distribution pjl

recall that
is obtained.

 
obtained given bjl , then the desired degree is lpjl pjl lBj bjl ; j 1; 2, that is lpjl pjl

k1 lAj xjk pjl xjk . Thus, to construct a fuzzy set of probability distributions pjl , it is needed to solve n simple goal

Next, as
Pn
j

lBj

13a

pjl

is

linear programming problems (12a) and (13a).

The fuzzy sets of probability distributions p1l and p2l induce the fuzzy set of convolutions p12s ; s 1; . . . ; m2 , with the
membership function dened as

lp12 p12 max

lp1 p1 ^ lp2 p2 
p ;p

14

subject to p12 p1  p2 ;

15

where ^ is min operation.

At the next step we should compute probability measure of A12 A1 A2 given p12 , that is, to compute probability of the
fuzzy event X is A12 on the base of Denition 4.
Thus, when p12 is known, PA12 is a number PA12 b12 . However, what is only known is a fuzzy restriction on p12
described by the membership function lp12 . Therefore, PA12 will be a fuzzy set B12 with the membership function lB12
dened as follows:

lB12 b12s suplp12s p12s

16

subject to

b12s

X
p12s xk lA12 xk :

17

As a result, Z 12 Z 1 Z 2 is obtained as Z 12 A12 ; B12 .

An example. Let us consider computation of an addition Z 12 Z 1 Z 2 of two discrete Z-numbers Z 1 A1 ; B1 and
Z 2 A2 ; B2 given:

A1 0=1 0:3=2 0:5=3 0:6=4 0:7=5 0:8=6 0:9=7 1=8 0:8=9 0:6=10 0=11;
B1 0=0 0:5=0:1 0:8=0:2 1=0:3 0:8=0:4 0:7=0:5 0:6=0:6 0:4=0:7 0:2=0:8 0:1=0:6 0=1;
A2 0=1 0:5=2 0:8=3 1=4 0:8=5 0:7=6 0:6=7 0:4=8 0:2=9 0:1=10 0=11;
B2 0=0 0:3=0:1 0:5=0:2 0:6=0:3 0:7=0:4 0:8=0:5 0:9=0:6 1=0:7 0:9=0:8 0:8=0:6 0=1:
At the rst step of computation of Z 12 we proceed to the discrete Z -numbers. Let us consider Z
1 A1 ; R1 and
Z

A2 ; R2 where R1 and R2 are the following discrete probability distributions R1 and R2 :

2

p1 0:27 n 1 0 n 2 0 n 3 0:0027 n 4 0:04 n 5 0:075 n 6 0:11 n 7 0:15 n 8 0:075 n 9 0:0027 n 10 0:27 n 11;
p2 0:09 n 1 0 n 2 0:18 n 3 0:32 n 4 0:18 n 5 0:1 n 6 0:036 n 7 0 n 8 0 n 9 0 n 10 0:09 n 11:
As one can verify, the constraints (7) and (8) are satised.
At the second step we should determine the discrete Z -number

Z 12 A1 A2 ; R1 R2 :

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145

In accordance with the approach suggested in Section 3.1.2, here we rst compute A12 A1 A2 . In accordance with
Denition 5 we have:

A12

aAa12 ;

a20;1
a

where A12 fx 2 fsupp A1 supp A2 gj minfAa1 Aa2 g 6 x 6 maxfAa1 Aa2 gg. We will use a 0; 0:1; . . . ; 1. The resulting A12
is found as follows

A12 0=1 0=2 0:19=3 0:36=4 0:5=5 0:58=6 0:65=7 0:73=8 0:8=9 0:87=10 0:93=11 1=12
0:9=13 0:8=14 0:73=15 0:7=16 0:6=17 0:45=18 0:3=19 0:17=20 0:086=21:
Next we compute R1 R2 as a convolution p12 p1  p2 of the considered p1 and p2 is obtained by using (11).
For example, compute p12 x for x 4. The latter can be x x11 x23 1 3 4; x x13 x21 3 1 4 or
x x12 x22 2 2 4. Then

p12 4 p1 1p2 3 p1 3p2 1 p1 2p2 2 0:27  0:18 0  0:09 0  0 0:0486:

The p12 obtained in accordance with (11) is given below:

p12 0 n 1 0:0243 n 2 0 n 3 0:0486 n 4    0:007 n 19 0:0002 n 20 0:0243 n 21:

Thus, Z
12 A1 A2 ; R1 R2 A1 A2 ; p12 is obtained.
At the third step we realize, that true probability distributions p1 and p2 are not exactly known, but only fuzzy restrictions
~ 1 and B
~ 2 respectively. We compute the membership degrees
and l for p and p are available which are induced by B

lp1
1
2
p2
lpj pj , j 1; 2, of the fuzzy restrictions given the solutions of the goal linear programming problems (12a) and (13a). Let us
consider determination of the membership degrees lp1 p1 and lp2 p2 for distributions p1 and p2 considered above. It is
known that

lp1 p1 lB1

P
n1

k1

lA1 x1k p1 x1k , and as for p1 considered above we have

n1
X

lA1 x1k p1 x1k 0  0:27 0:3  0 0:5  0 0:6  0:003 0:7  0:04 0:8  0:075 0:9  0:11 1  0:15

k1

0:8  0:075 0:6  0:002 0  0:27 0:4;

then lp1 p1 lB1 0:4 0:8. Analogously we nd that lp2 p2 1 for p2 considered above. Finally, we compute the membership degrees of for all the considered p1 and p2 .
At the fourth step, we should determine the fuzzy restriction lp12 over all the convolutions p12 obtained on the base of
(14) and (15) from all the considered p1 and p2 . It is clear that the fuzzy restriction lp12 is induced fuzzy restrictions lp1
and lp2 . For example, the membership degree of this fuzzy restriction for the convolution p12 obtained above is

lp12 p12 lp1 p1 ^ lp2 p2 0:8 ^ 1 0:8:

Analogously, we computed the degrees for all the considered p12 .
At the fth step, we should proceed to construction of B12 as a soft constraint on a probability measure PA12 based on
(16) and (17). First we need to compute values of probability measure PA12 based on Denition 4 by using the obtained
convolutions p12 . For example, PA12 computed with respect to p12 considered above is

PA12

n1
X

lA12 x12k p12 x12k 0  0 0  0:243 0:19  0 0:36  0:0486 0:087  0:5    0:086  0:243 0:63:

k1

As the computed PA12 is one possible value of probability measure within the fuzzy restriction B12 to be constructed, we


P1
can say that one basic value of B12 is found as b12 0:63. Now we recall that lB12 b12 nk1
lA12 x12k p12 x12k lp12 p12 .
P1
Then given lp12 p12 0:8, we obtain lB12 b12 0:63 0:8 for b12 nk1
lA12 x12k p12 x12k . By carrying out analogous com~ 12 as follows:
putations, we constructed B

B12 0=0:56 0:5=0:60 0:8=0:63 1=0:66 0:8=0:69 0:7=0:72 0:6=0:75 0:4=0:78 0:2=0:81 0:1=0:84
0=0:86 0=1:
Thus, the result of addition Z 12 A12 ; B12 is obtained, where A12 ; B12 are shown in Fig. 4.
Let us now conduct comparison of computation with continuous Z-numbers and computation with discrete Z-numbers.
The rst main difference is in computation of convolution: for continuous case it is computation of integral (2) whereas for
discrete case it is computation of sum (11) which is much easier. The second main difference is in computation of a fuzzy
restriction on convolution. For continuous case we deal with complex nonlinear variational problem (2)(6) for which even
numerical solution can hardly be found, whereas for discrete case we deal with easily solved problems: LP problem (12a) and
(13a) and problem of a determination of a maximum within a nite countable set (14) and (15). The third main difference is

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R.A. Aliev et al. / Information Sciences 290 (2015) 134155

1

0.9

0.9

0.8

0.8

0.7

0.7

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.1

10

15

20

25

0
0.55

0.6

0.65

(a)

0.7

0.75

0.8

0.85

0.9

0.95

(b)

Fig. 4. The results of addition of the discrete Z-numbers: (a) A12 , (b) B12 .

in computation of B12 . For continuous case it is a variational problem (7) and (8), and for discrete case it is an easily solved
problem of a determination of a maximum within a nite countable set (16) and (17).
3.1.3. Standard subtraction of discrete Z-numbers
Let us consider standard subtraction Z 12 Z 1  Z 2 of discrete Z-numbers Z 1 A1 ; B1 and Z 2 A2 ; B2 . First, a discrete

Z -number Z
12 Z 1  Z 2 should be determined:

Z 1  Z 2 A1  A2 ; R1  R2 ;
where R1 and R2 are represented by discrete probability distributions:

p1 p1 x11 n x11 p1 x12 n x12    p1 x1n n x1n ;

p2 p2 x21 n x21 p2 x22 n x22    p2 x2n n x2n ;
for which (7) and (8) are satised.
The difference A1  A2 of discrete fuzzy numbers is dened in accordance with Denition 6 and R1  R2 is a convolution
p12 p1  p2 of discrete probability distributions dened in accordance with Denition 3:

p12 x

p1 x1 p2 x2 :

18

xx1 x2

So, we will have Z

12 as Z 12 A1  A2 ; p12 , which is the result of standard subtraction of discrete Z -numbers being the
rst step of standard subtraction of Z-numbers.
Pn

j
Third, we construct the fuzzy sets lpjl pjl lBj
k1 lAj xjk pjl xjk ; j 1; 2; l 1; . . . ; m by solving (12a) and (13a).

Fourth,the fuzzy set of convolutions p12s ; s 1; . . . ; m2 , with the membership function constructed by solving (14) and
(15), where convolution is computed according to (11).
~ 12 . First we should compute probability measure of A12 A1  A2 given
At the fth step, we proceed to construction of B
~ 12
p12 , i.e. to compute probability of the fuzzy event X is A12 on the base of Denition 4. Finally, we compute a fuzzy set B
according to (16) and (17). As a result, Z 12 Z 1  Z 2 is obtained as Z 12 A12 ; B12 .
An example. Let us compute the standard subtraction of the Z-numbers considered in the previous example. At the rst
step we proceed to the discrete Z -numbers.
Second, we should calculate Z -number Z
12 A12 ; R12 A1  A2 ; R1  R2 . In accordance with the approach suggested in
Section 3.1.3, we compute A12 A1  A2 . The resulting A12 is obtained by using a -cuts-based approach shown in Denition 6
as follows:

A12 0=  10 0:075=  9 0:15=  8 0:24=  7 0:35=  6 0:45=  5 0:53=  4 0:6=  3 0:65=  2

0:7=  1 0=0:75 0:8=1 0:87=2 0:93=3 1=4 0:9=5 0:8=6 0:68=7 0:53=8 0:27=9 0=10:
Next we compute R1  R2 as a convolution p12 p1  p1 of p1 and p2 which were considered in Section 3.1.2. The p12 obtained
in accordance with (18) by using the procedure analogous to that used for the case of addition. For example, let us compute
p12 x for x 5. The latter can be x x1;5  x2;10 5  10 5, or x x1;6  x2;11 6  11 5. Then we have:

p12 5 p1 5p2 10 p1 6p2 11 0:04  0 0:075  0:09 0:00675:

The computed p12 is given below:

p12 0:025 n 10 0 n 9 0 n 8 0 n 7 0:0135 n 6 0:00675 n 5    0:243 n 10:

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R.A. Aliev et al. / Information Sciences 290 (2015) 134155

Thus, Z
12 A1  A2 ; p12 is obtained.
At the third step it is needed compute membership degrees lp1 p1 and lp2 p2 for the fuzzy restrictions over distributions
p1 and p2 . These degrees were determined previously in Section 3.1.2.
At the fourth step, we compute the membership degrees lp12 p12 of the convolutions p12 . Let us mention that these
degrees depend only on the degrees lp1 p1 and lp2 p2 of distributions p1 and p2 from which p12 is obtained and does
not depend on a type of arithmetic operation. Therefore, they will be obtained analogously to the case of addition. Indeed,
the membership degree of p12 obtained above is

lp12 p12 0:8:

At the fth step, we proceed to construction of B12 . First, by using Denition 4, we compute values of probability measure
PA12 with respect to the obtained convolutions p12 . For example, PA12 computed based on p12 considered above is

PA12

n1
X

lA12 xk p12 xk 0  0 0  0:243 0:19  0 0:36  0:0486 0:087  0:5    0:086  0:243 0:71:

k1

Therefore, one basic value of B12 is found as b12 0:63 with lB~12 b12 0:71 0:8.
~ 12 based on (16) and (17). The constructed B12 is given below:
At the nal stage, we construct B

B12 0=0:59 0:5=0:62 0:8=0:65 1=0:68 0:8=0:71 0:7=0:74 0:6=0:77 0:4=0:8 0:2=0:83 0:1=0:86
0=0:88:
Thus, Z 12 A12 ; B12 is obtained as the result of subtraction and A12 ; B12 are shown in Fig. 5.
3.1.4. Multiplication of discrete Z-numbers

Let us consider multiplication Z 12 Z 1  Z 2 of Z 1 A1 ; B1 and Z 2 A2 ; B2 . First, Z

12 Z 1  Z 2 should be determined:

Z 1  Z 2 A1  A2 ; R1  R2 ;
where R1 and R2 are represented by discrete probability distributions:

p1 p1 x11 n x11 p1 x12 n x12    p1 x1n n x1n ;

p2 p2 x21 n x21 p2 x22 n x22    p2 x2n n x2n ;
for which (9) and (10) are satised. The product A1  A2 of discrete fuzzy numbers is dened in accordance with Denition 7
and R1  R2 is a convolution p12 p1  p2 of discrete probability distributions dened in accordance with Denition 3:

p12 x

p1 x1 p2 x2j :

19

xx1 x2

Thus, we will have Z

12 A1  A2 ; p12 . Next, analogously to Section 3.1.2, we construct the fuzzy sets lpjl pjl ; l 1; . . . ; m,
and the fuzzy set of convolutions p12s ; s 1; . . . ; m2 , with the membership function dened by solving (14) and (15) and a
convolution dened according to (19).
~ 12 is
At the next step probability measure of A12 A1  A2 is computed on the base of Denition 4. Finally, a fuzzy set B
constructed according to (16) and (17). As a result,Z 12 Z 1  Z 2 is obtained as Z 12 A12 ; B12 .
An example. Let us consider multiplication of the considered Z-numbers. Again, rst we proceed to the discrete Z -numbers. Second, we should calculate Z
12 A12 ; R12 A1  A2 ; R1  R2 , where R1 and R2 are taken the same as in the case of addi1

0.9

0.9

0.8

0.8

0.7

0.7

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.1

0
-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

(a)

10

0
0.55

0.6

0.65

0.7

0.75

0.8

(b)

Fig. 5. The result of subtraction of the discrete Z-numbers: (a) A12 , (b) B12 .

0.85

0.9

0.95

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R.A. Aliev et al. / Information Sciences 290 (2015) 134155

tion. In accordance with the approach suggested in Section 3.1.4, we compute A12 A1  A2 on the base of Denition 7 and
R1  R2 as a convolution of p1 and p2 on the base of (19). The results (obtained analogously to the procedures used previously
for addition and subtraction) are shown below:

A12 0=1 0:16=2    1=32    0:17=100 0=121:

p12 0:243 n 1 0 n 2    0 n 100 0:243 n 121:
~ ~
As a result, Z
12 A1  A2 ; p12 is obtained.
Third, we compute membership degrees lp1 p1 and lp2 p2 . Fourth, the membership degrees of the convolutions p12 are
obtained on the basis of lp1 p1 and lp2 p2 analogously to the cases of addition.
~ 12 . For this we compute values of probability measure PA12 with respect to the obtained convolutions
Fifth, we compute B
p12 (Denition 4). For example, PA12 computed for p12 considered above is

PA12 b12 0:67:

At the nal stage, we construct B12 based on (16) and (17). For example,
given below:

lB12 b12 0:67 0:8. The constructed B12 is

B12 0=0:54 0:5=0:57 0:8=0:61 1=0:63 0:8=0:67 0:7=0:7 0:6=0:73 0:4=0:76 0:2=0:79 0:1=0:819
0=0:82:
Thus, Z 12 A12 ; B12 as the result of multiplication is obtained and A12 ; B12 are shown in Fig. 6.
3.1.5. Standard division of discrete Z-numbers
Let us consider standard division Z 12 Z 1 =Z 2 of Z 1 A1 ; B1 and Z 2 A2 ; B2 , where 0 R suppA2 . First, Z
12 A12 ; p12 is
determined:

Z 12 A12 ; p12 ;
where the standard division A12 A1 =A2 of discrete fuzzy numbers is dened in accordance with Denition 8 and a convolution p12 p1  p2 of discrete probability distributions is dened in accordance with Denition 3:

p12 x

p1 x1 p2 x2 :

20

xx1 =x2 ;
x2 0

Next, analogously to Section 3.1.2, we construct the fuzzy sets lpjl pjl ; j 1; 2; l 1; . . . ; m and the fuzzy set of convolutions p12s ; s 1; . . . ; m2 , with the membership function dened by solving (14) and (15), where convolution is dened
according to (20).
At the next step probability measure of A12 is computed on the base of Denition 4. Finally, a fuzzy set B12 is constructed
according to (16) and (17). As a result, Z 12 Z 1 =Z 2 is obtained as Z 12 A12 ; B12 .
An example. Let us consider standard division of the considered Z-numbers. Again, rst we should calculate
Z
12 A12 ; R12 A1 =A2 ; R1 =R2 , where R1 and R2 are taken as in the case of addition. In accordance with the approach suggested in Section 3.1.5, we compute A12 A1 =A2 on the base of Denition 8 and R1 =R2 as a convolution p12 p1  p1 on the
base of (20). The obtained results are shown below:

A12 0:07=0:36 0:1=0:375    1=1:6    0:17=100 0=121;

p12 0:025 n 1 0 n 2    0 n 1:6    0 n 100 0:025 n 121:

0.9

0.9

0.8

0.8

0.7

0.7

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.1

20

40

60

80

(a)

100

120

140

0
0.5

0.55

0.6

0.65

0.7

0.75

(b)

Fig. 6. The results of multiplication of the discrete Z-numbers: (a) A12 , (b) B12 .

0.8

0.85

0.9

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As a result, Z
12 A1 =A2 ; p12 is obtained.
Next we compute membership degrees lp1 p1 and lp2 p2 and the membership degrees lp12 p12 of the convolutions p12 .
Given membership degrees lp12 p12 of the convolutions p12 , we compute values of probability measure PA12 by using
Denition 4. For example, PA12 computed on the base of p12 considered above is

PA12 b12 0:44:

At the nal stage, we construct B12 based on (16) and (17). For example,
below:

lB12 0:44 0:8. The constructed B12 is given

B12 0=0:24 0:5=0:29 0:8=0:34 1=0:38 0:8=0:44 0:7=0:49 0:6=0:54 0:4=0:59 0:2=0:64 0:1=0:69
0=0:68:
The result Z 12 A12 ; B12 of the standard division is obtained. A12 ; B12 are shown in Fig. 7.
3.2. Power of a discrete Z-number
3.2.1. Square of a discrete Z-number
Let us now consider computation of Z Y Z 2X . Let Z
X AX ; RX where RX is represented as

pX pX x1 n x1 pX x2 n x2    pX xn n xn :
Then the discrete Z -number Z
Y is determined as follows:

Z Y AY ; RY ;
where AY A2X , A2X is determined on the base of Denition 9 and RY is represented by a discrete probability distribution

pY pY y1 n y1 pY y2 n y2    pY ym n ym ;

21

such that

yr x2k and pY yr

pX x; r 1; . . . ; m:

yr x2

Next we compute

P
n

lpX pX;l lBX

22


k1

lAX xk pX;l xk by solving linear programming problem (12a) and (13a).

Now, recalling (21) and (22), we realize that the fuzzy set of probability distributions pX with membership function

lpX pX;l naturally induces the fuzzy set of probability distributions pY;l with the membership function dened as

lpY pY;l lpX pX;l ;

subject to (21) and (22).
Next, we should compute probability measure of AY given pY on the base of Denition 4. Finally, given a fuzzy restriction
on pY described by the membership function lpY , we construct a fuzzy set BY with the membership function lBY dened as
follows:

lBY bY;l suplpY pY;l

0.9

0.9

0.8

0.8

0.7

0.7

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.1

(a)

10

12

0
0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7

(b)

Fig. 7. The results of division of the discrete Z-numbers: (a) A12 , (b) B12 .

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subject to

bY;l

pY;l xk lAY xk :

As a result, Z 2 is obtained as
pY;l yk pX;l xk ; lpY pY;l lpX pX;l , and

bY;l bX;l and

Z 2 AY ; BY . Let us mention that for

lAY yk lAX xk with yk x2k . Thus, one has

xi P 0; i 1; . . . ; n,

one

has

lBY bY;l lBX bX;l ;

which means BY BX . Therefore, for the case xi P 0; i 1; . . . ; n, it is not needed to carry out computation of BY because it is
the same as BX .
Let us mention that computation of Z Y Z nX , where n is any natural number, is carried out analogously.
An example. Given the Z-number Z 2 A2 ; B2 considered in Section 3.1.2, let us and compute its square Z 3 Z 22 . First we
proceed to the Z -number Z
2 A2 ; R2 with R2 represented as

p2 0:09 n 1 0 n 2 0:18 n 3 0:32 n 4 0:18 n 5 0:1 n 6 0:036 n 7 0 n 8 0 n 9 0 n 10 0:09 n 11:

2
Then we compute the corresponding Z -number Z
3 A3 ; R3 , where A3 A2 computed on the base of Denition 9 and R3
computed on the base of (21) and (22) are given below:

A3 0=1 0:5=4 0:8=9 1=16 0:8=25 0:7=36 0:6=49 0:4=64 0:2=81 0:1=100 0=121;
p3 0:09 n 1 0 n 4 0 n 9 0:32 n 16 0:18 n 25 0:1 n 36 0:036 n 49 0 n 64 0 n 81 0 n 100 0:09 n 121:
As it was shown in Section 3.2.1, B3 B2 . However, we computed B3 given A3 ,

lp2 p2 lB2

P
n

k1

lA2 xk p2 xk and taking

into account the fact that lp3 p3 lp2 pR2 . Thus, Z-number Z 3 A3 ; B3 as the square of Z 2 is obtained. A3 ; B3 are shown in
Fig. 8.
As one can see, B3 B2 .
3.2.2. Square root of a discrete Z-number
In [34] Zadeh poses a question: What is a square root of a Z-number. In this section we will answer this question.
p
Let us consider computation of Z Y Z X . Let Z
X and Z X be the same as those considered in Section 3.2.1. Then the discrete

Z -number Z Y is determined as follows:

Z Y AY ; RY ;
where AY

p p
AX ; AX is determined on the base of Denition 10 and RY is represented by a discrete probability distribution

pRY pRY y1 n y1 pRY y2 n y2    pRY yn n yn ;

23

such that

yk

p
xk and pRY yk pRX xk ;

Next we construct

lpX pX;l lBX

24

P


n
k1 lAX xk pX;l xk and recall that

lpY pY;l lpX pX;l ;

subject to (23) and (24).

0.9

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0.8

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0.7

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.1

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

(a)
Fig. 8. The square of the discrete Z-number: (a) A3 , (b) B3 .

0.5

(b)

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0.8

0.9

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Next we compute probability measure of AY and, given the membership function lpY , we construct a fuzzy set BY analp
p
ogously to that we did in Section 3.2.1. As a result, Z is obtained as Z AY ; BY . Let us mention that analogously to the
case of the square of a discrete Z-number, it is not needed to carry out computation of BY . One can easily verify that for the
case of the square root of a discrete Z-number, BY BX holds.
p
Let us consider computation of the square root Z 3 Z 2 of Z 2 A2 ; B2 . Given the Z -number Z
2 A2 ; R2 considered
p

above, we computed the corresponding Z -number Z 3 A3 ; R3 , where A3 A2 computed on the base of Denition 10
and R3 computed on the base of (23) and (24) are given below:

A3 0=1 0:5=1:4 0:8=1:7 1=2 0:8=2:2 0:7=2:4 0:6=2:6 0:4=2:8 0:2=3 0:1=3:2 0=3:3;
p3 0:09 n 1 0 n 1:4 0 n 1:7 0:32 n 2 0:18 n 2:2 0:1 n 2:4 0:036 n 2:6 0 n 2:8 0:2 n 3 0:1 n 3:2 0:09 n 3:3:
As it was shown in section 3.2.2, B3 B2 . However, we computed B3 given A3 ,
taking into account the fact that

lp2 p2 lB2

P

n
k1

lA2 xk p2 xk and

lp3 p3 lp2 pR2 . Thus, Z-number Z 3 A3 ; B3 as the square root of Z 2 is obtained and

A3 ; B3 are shown in Fig. 9.

As one can see, again we have B3 B2 .
Let us emphasize the benet of the use of fuzzy information with partial reliability as compared to the use of pure fuzzy
information. We consider two examples:
(1) compare multiplication of fuzzy numbers A1  A2 with their Z-valued analogs which are Z-numbers Z 1 A1 ; B1 and
Z 2 A2 ; B2 with B1 1 and B2 1. Indeed, a fuzzy number A is nothing but a Z-number Z 1 A; 1, that is fully reliable
A. Thus, in this case we consider imprecise (fuzzy) but fully reliable (certain) information. We computed A1  A2 with

A1 0=1 0:3=2 0:5=3 0:6=4 0:7=5 0:8=6 0:9=7 1=8 0:8=9 0:6=10 0=11
A2 0=1 0:5=2 0:8=3 1=4 0:8=5 0:7=6 0:6=7 0:4=8 0:2=9 0:1=10 0=11
and obtained A1  A2 0=1 0:16=2    1=32    0:17=100 0=121.
Next we computed Z 1  Z 2 A1 ; 1  A2 ; 1 and obtained Z 1  Z 2 A12 ; B12 , with the following results:

A1  A2 0=1 0:16=2    1=32    0:17=100 0=121;

B12 0=0:47 0=0:52 0=0:57    0=0:88 0=0:94 1=1:
This means that B12 is singleton 1. Therefore, the obtained Z 1  Z 2 A12 ; B12 where B12 1 coincides with A12 .

(2) Let us now consider multiplication of Z

1 A1 ; p1 and Z 2 A2 ; p2 , where A1 and A2 are the same as in the previous
example, and p1 and p2 are probability distributions which reect randomness of A1 and A2 . In other words, we deal
with imprecise (fuzzy) and partially reliable (random) information. The considered p1 and p2 are as follows:

p1 0:39 n 1 0 n 2 0 n 3 0:001 n 4 0:0195 n 5 0:0377 n 6 0:0559 n 7 0:074 n 8 0:0377 n 9 0:0013 n 10 0:3862 n 11;
p2 0:266 n 1 0 n 2 0:102 n 3 0:1822 n 4 0:1015 n 5 0:0612 n 6 0:021 n 7 0 n 8 0 n 9 0 n 10 0:2664 n 11:

The computed Z+-number Z

12 Z 1  Z 2 is Z 12 A12 ; p12 , where A12 is the same as in the previous example, and convolution
p12 is as follows:

p12 0:104 n 1 0 n 2 0:398 n 3 0:07132 n 4    0 n 100 0:000346 n 110 0:1028 n 121:

0.9

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0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.1

1.5

2.5

(a)

3.5

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

(b)

Fig. 9. The square root of the discrete Z-number: (a) A3 , (b) B3 .

0.6

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So, in case of partial reliability of an available information, the result of processing of this information is also with some partial reliability only. This is quite intuitive and is the effect of the use of Z+-information (partially reliable information). In a
more realistic setting, an available information is characterized by imprecisely known p, i.e. there is a fuzzy restriction on p
which may be due to linguistic uncertainty of reliability of A. In such cases it is needed to compute with Z-numbers.
Let us mention that the effect of a partial reliability is like an effect of a footprint of uncertainty in type-2 fuzzy sets. Processing of Z-information offers better capabilities to deal with linguistic uncertainties by modeling imprecise and partially
reliable information.
3.2.3. Ranking of discrete Z-numbers
Ranking of discrete Z-numbers is a necessary operation in arithmetic of Z-numbers and is a challenging practical issue.
Zadeh addresses the problem of ranking Z-numbers as a very important problem and mentions a simple example: Is
(approximately 100, likely) greater than (approximately 90, very likely)? [34]. Without doubt, this is a meaningful question
and it is worth to mention that our everyday decisions are often characterized by imprecise and vague information both
on future consequences and the related reliability. In this section we suggest an approach to ranking of discrete Z-numbers.
In contrast to real numbers, Z-numbers are ordered pairs, for ranking of which there can be no unique approach. For purpose of comparison, we suggest to consider a Z-number as a pair of values of two attributes one attribute measures value of
a variable, the other one measures the associated reliability. Then it will be adequate to compare Z-numbers as multiattribute alternatives. Basic principle of comparison of multiattribute alternatives is the Pareto optimality principle which is based
on a counterintuitive assumption that all alternatives within a Pareto optimal set are considered equally optimal. The fuzzy
Pareto optimality (FPO) concept[14]ts very well multiattribute decision making problems. This concept is an implementation of the ideas of CW-based redenitions of the existing scientic concepts[36]. In this approach, by directly comparing
alternatives, one arrives at total degrees to which one alternative is better than, is equivalent to and is worse than another
one. These degrees are determined as graded sums of differences between attribute values for considered alternatives[1,3,14]. Such comparison is closer to the way humans compare alternatives by confronting their attribute values.
We suggest to consider comparison of Z-numbers on the base of FPO principle[1,3,14] as follows. Let Z-numbers
Z 1 A1 ; B1 and Z 2 A2 ; B2 be given. It is needed to compare the corresponding components of these Z-numbers. For this
purpose it is needed to calculate the functions nb , ne , nw which evaluate how much one of the Z-numbers is better, equivalent
~ and B.
~ The total degree nb measures the
and worse than the other one with respect to the rst and the second components A
number of components with respect to which Z 1 A1 ; B1 dominates Z 2 A2 ; B2 (minimum is 0, maximum is 2). The total
degree nw measures the number of components with respect to which Z 1 A1 ; B1 is dominated by Z 2 A2 ; B2 (minimum
is 0, maximum is 2). The total degree ne measures the number of components with respect to which Z 1 A1 ; B1 is equivalent to Z 2 A2 ; B2 (minimum is 0, maximum is 2).
The functions nb , ne , nw are dened as follows:
i;j
nb Z i ; Z j Pb di;j
A P b dB ;

25

i;j
ne Z i ; Z j Pe di;j
A P e dB ;
i;j
nw Z i ; Z j P w dA Pw di;j
B ;

26
27

i;j
where di;j
A Ai  Aj , dB Bi  Bj . The meaning of these function is as follows. As superiority, equivalence and inferiority of one
i;j
Z-number with respect to the other is actually a matter of a degree for human intuition, di;j
A Ai  Aj and dB Bi  Bj should
be evaluated by using the function:



Poss di;j
A jnl

;
P
i;j
t2fb;e;wg Poss dA jnt


Poss di;j
B jnl
i;j

;
Pl dB P
i;j
t2fb;e;wg Poss dB jnt

Pl di;j
A

where Poss is a possibility measure[1] to fuzzy terms nb ; ne ; nw shown in Fig. 10, t 2 fb; e; wg; i; j 1; 2; i j.

Fig. 10. The membership functions of nb ; ne ; nw .

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The function Pl is therefore used as a weighted possibility measure. As

i;j
t2fb;e;wg P l dk

1 condition always holds, one

always has nb Z i ; Z j ne Z i ; Z j nw Z i ; Z j N, where N is the number of components of a Z-number, i.e. N 2.

On the base of nb ; ne ; nw , 1  k-dominance is determined as dominance in the terms of its degree. This concepts suggests
that Z 1 1  k-dominates Z 2 iff [1,3,14]

ne Z i ; Z j < 2;

nb Z i ; Z j P

2  ne Z i ; Z j
;
k1

28

with k 2 0; 1.
Next it is needed to determine the greatest k such that Z i Pareto dominates Z j to the degree 1  k. For this purpose, a
function d is introduced[1,3,14]:

dZ i ; Z j

8
< 0;

if nb Z i ; Z j 6

: 2nb Zi ;Zj ne Zi ;Zj 2 ;

nb Z i ;Z j

2ne Z i ;Z j
2

otherwise

29

Given a value of d, the desired greatest k is found as k 1  dZ i ; Z j , and then 1  k dZ i ; Z j . dZ i ; Z j 1 implies Pareto dominance of Z i over Z j , whereas dZ i ; Z j 0 implies no Pareto dominance of Z i over Z j . The degree of optimality doZ i is
determined as follows:

doZ i 1  dZ j ; Z i :

30

Thus, we can consider doZ i as the degree to which one Z-number is higher than the other one. Then

Z i > Z j iff doZ i > doZ j ;

Z i < Z j iff doZ i < doZ j
and
Z i Z j otherwise.
Recall that comparison of fuzzy numbers is a matter of a degree due to related vagueness. For Z-numbers, which are more
complex constructs characterized by possibilistic-probabilistic uncertainty, degree-based comparison is even more
desirable.
The suggested approach may be considered as basis of a human-oriented ranking of Z-numbers. In this viewpoint, we
suggest to take into account degree of pessimism b 2 0; 1 as a mental factor which inuences a choice of a preferred Z-number. The degree of pessimism is submitted by a human observer who wishes to compare the considered Z-numbers but does
not completely rely on the results obtained by the above mentioned FO approach. In this viewpoint, given doZ j 6 doZ i , we
dene for two Z-numbers Z 1 and Z 2 :

rZ i ; Z j bdoZ j 1  bdoZ i :
Then

9
Z i > Z j iff rZ i ; Z j > 12 doZ i doZ j >
>
>
Z < Z iff rZ ; Z < 1 doZ doZ =
i

and
Z i Z j otherwise

>
>
>
;

The degree of pessimism b is submitted by a human being and adjust ranking of Z-numbers to reect human attitude to the
~ components for a human being and other
computed do. This attitude may result from the different importance of A and B
issues.
An example. Consider the following problem. Manufacturing company must determine the mix of its commercial products B and C to be produced next year. The company produces two product lines, the B and the C. The average prot is (about
$400, very likely) for each B and (about $800, likely) for each C. The resources limitations for production are fabrication and
assembly capacities which are also described by Z-numbers to account uncertainty of future. Assume that the solution of the
considered problem x11 ; x12 provides overall prot (about $100 mln, likely), and the solution x21 ; x22 provides overall prot
(about $90 mln, very likely). The problem is to rank these solutions.
Let the information about imprecise random quantities mentioned in the example be described by Z-numbers
Z 1 A1 ; B1 and Z 2 A2 ; B2 given (in $ mln):

A1 0=95 0:5=97:5 1=100 0:5=102:5 0=105;

B1 0=0:75 0:5=0:775 1=0:8 0:5=0:825 0=0:85;
A2 0=85 0:5=87:5 1=90 0:5=92:5 0=95;
B2 0=0:85 0:5=0:875 1=0:9 0:5=0:925 0=0:95:

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In order to solve the considered problem, let us compare these Z-numbers on the base of the FO approach (Section 3.2.3). In
accordance with (25)(27), rst we calculated values of the functions nb , ne , nw :

nb Z 1 ; Z 2 0:095; nb Z 2 ; Z 1 0:105;
ne Z 1 ; Z 2 1:8; ne Z 2 ; Z 1 1:8;
nw Z 1 ; Z 2 0:105; nw Z 2 ; Z 1 0:095:
At the second step, a function d is calculated according to (29):

dZ 1 ; Z 2 0; dZ 2 ; Z 1 0:095:
Next, doZ 1 0:905 and doZ 2 1 are obtained on the base of (30). Therefore, Z 2 is higher than Z 1 : Z 2 > Z 1 . Let us now
consider a human-oriented ranking of these Z-numbers with degree of pessimism b 0:6. For this case we will have:
rZ 1 ; Z 2 0:943 < 12 0:905 1 0:953. Therefore, Z 1 > Z 2 .
4. Conclusion
The concept of a Z-number is very important for solving problems in various elds of human activity including economics,
decision analysis, risk assessment, prediction, optimization, anticipation and rule-based characterization of imprecise functions and relations. As a result, a realm of computation with Z-numbers becomes a challenging area of study. A general outline for computation with continuous Z-numbers was introduced by Prof. Zadeh. As it is stated by the author of the concept
of a Z-number, it is easy to state the problem of computation with Z-numbers but it is rather difcult solve it. We have analyzed the existing works devoted to Z-numbers and their applications and have concluded that a framework for arithmetic of
Z-numbers, including basic arithmetic operations, was not suggested. The existing approaches utilize reduction of Z-information to fuzzy information, which not only leads to loss of information, but also to loss of explicit consideration of reliability issues. Therefore, there is a signicant need in development of a background of arithmetic of Z-numbers.
Taking into account that real-world problems are characterized by linguistic information which is often described by a
discrete set of meaningful linguistic terms, in our study we consider discrete Z-numbers. We have for the rst time proposed
an algebraic system of discrete Z-numbers including basic arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication
and division, comparison operation such as ranking of Z-numbers and algebraic operations such as square and a square root
of a Z-number. The suggested mathematical framework of direct computation with Z-numbers is characterized by low analytical and computational complexities, which signicantly widens its practical application.
Vast compendium of examples provided in the paper show validity of the suggested computational theory of Z-numbers.
Acknowledgement
Authors would like to deeply thank Prof. L.A. Zadeh for suggestion of the idea to create computational theory with Z-numbers and are grateful to him for his permanent support of our research.
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