Fuzzy Sets and Systems 9 (1983) 313-325 North-Holland Publishing Company

313

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL Michio SUGENO

FUZZY and Tomohiro

REASONING

TAKAGI
School of Science Yokohama 227, and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of

Department of Systems Science, Graduate Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Received May 1981 Revised December 1981

Japan

This paper suggests a method of multi-dimensional fuzzy reasoning concerned with both modus ponens and modus tollens. It also discusses an example to show how the method works. Keywords: Lukasiewiczs infinite dimensional fuzzy reasoning. valued logic, Fuzzy logic, Fuzzy implication, Multi-

1. Introduction A considerable number of studies on fuzzy reasoning, have been reported, e.g. [l, 2,3,5], since Zadeh presented the compositional rule of inference. Fuzzy reasoning has been especially applied for fuzzy control and diagnosis, and lately for fuzzy modelling. However there have been few discussions on it in the multi-dimensional case. This paper suggests a method of multi-dimensional fuzzy reasoning which is of great importance particularly when we deal with fuzzy modelling of systems. It also shows numerical examples which claim the validity of the proposed method. In general there are two methods, as is well known, on fuzzy reasoning: one is based on the compositional rule of inference and the other on fuzzy logic with such and such a base logic, e.g. Tsukamotos method [4]. Since a multi-dimensional implication such as if (x is A, y is B) then *z is C where A, B and C are fuzzy sets is not merely a collection of one-dimensional implications, a conventional interpretation is usually taken in the multidimensional case. For example in the compositional rule of inference, the above two-dimensional implication is translated into (1) if x is A and y is B then z is C, or (2) if x is A then if y is B then z is C. In Tsukamotos method, it is decomposed into (1) if x is A then z is C, and (2) if y is B then z is C, and the intersection C fl C, where C is the inferred value from the first implication and C that from the second implication, is taken for the consequence of reasoning. It is clear that those methods do not always express real situations, 01650114/83/0000-0000/$03.00 0 1983 North-Holland

314

M. Sugeno,

T. Takagi

since a pair of propositions (x is A, y is B) could be any fuzzy relation (x, y) is R with respect to x and y. For example there might be a functional relation such that z = x*y behind a fuzzy implication. Further, in the multi-dimensional case we have some difficulties in applying the compositional rule of inference, because we have to deal with multi-dimensional fuizy relations. So we use in this paper Tsukamotos method by which we can do without the fuzzy relational matrix and present an algorithm of fuzzy reasoning in the general case. The algorithm is very similar to that we use to approximate a function f(x, y) by a linear function.

2. Fuzzilied Lukasiewiczs

logic and its reasoning

In this section we shall briefly introduce Tsukamotos method of fuzzy reasoning. The truth value of implication in Lukasiewieczs infinite-valued logic is expressed as /A-,B/=(l-/A/+/B/)/\l, (1)

where /A/E [0, l] is the truth value of a proposition A. Let P, Q be fuzzy propositions and 1, Q be linguistic truth values that are fuzzy subsets of [0, l] as usual. Then P + Q z derived by the extension principle from (l), P-,Q=(l-E+Q)/\l.
(2)

In (2) the symbols -, + and A are the extended ones. In the sequel we shall use the extended operations for fuzzy sets without a comment. For calculation it is better to take a strong a-cut of (2). We have
P-,Q,=(l-p,+Q,bl (3)

where 5 ={u 1 f+(u)> (Y} and h&u), IA E [O, 11, is the membership function of 2. When P+ Q and _P are given, (3 is easily obtained by solving (3). In many cases we can assume that P + Q is normal, its membership function is non-decreasing in its domain [0, l] and also _P is normal and convex. Denote R = P + Q. Then it follows from the above assumptions that

% = (rb), 11,
po = h(a), P*(d),

(4)
(5)

where r(a)~[O, 11is determined Q is obtained as P

Q, = ((PI(Q) -

from h, and pi(a),

p,(a) from he Solving (3),

(6)

+ 40~) - 1) v (All.

Here we should take a caution of the term -E

in (3). For simplicity

suppose an

Multi-dimensional

fuzzy reasoning

315

equation R, = -Pm + Q,. If we directly solve Q, according to extended operaMore simply it is not even true that tions, we do not have & = R,+P,. . So we should transfer P, from the right-hand side to the left Q-p,)+p,=Q, in (3). This sort of problem will be also discussed in the Appendix. The solution in (6) is the same to that obtained by solving fust (1) and then applying the extension principle. Now ho is drawn since (6) implies that h,- is a non-decreasing function. Fuzzy reasoning based on modus ponens is carried out as follows, where modus ponens is written P, P+Q

Q'

* _P is
(7)

(1) Given a premise P, set P = P is E. By converse of truth qualification, found as

_p = &wL
where hp is the extension of hp for a fuzzy set P. (2) Calculate Q from c and P 4 Q which is assumed to be given. (3) Set Q = Q is Q. Then Q is the consequence of fuzzy reasoning. qualification, Q is obtained as

By truth (8) x0. Then

(9)

Q' = h,(Q),
where h< is also the extended one. Let us consider a special case where R is u-true and P is a singleton we have in (4)
r(a) = a

and from (5) and (7) pi(a) = hp(xo) Substituting for all cxE [0, 1). (10)

these into (6), it follows from (8) that + 1) A 1 (11) i.e. fuzzy reasoning based on modus

ho,(y) = (ho(y) - h&J

Next,let us consider the inverse problem, tollens which is written

Q', P-,Q
P .

when P + Q and Q are given, P is bound under similar

assumptions.
(12)

P = (0, Ma) - r(a) + 1)A 11 2

where

Q 2
The algorithm

= (q,(a), q,(a)).

(13)

to find P when Q is given is the same as in modus ponens. In

316

M. Sugeno, T. Takagi

particular

when P + Q is u-true and Q is a singleton b(x) = (-h&J + I, + 1) A 1

yO, we have

(14)

3. ~Multi-dimensional

reasoning

As stated in the introduction, we suggest in this section a method of multidimensional fuzzy reasoning. Unfortunately we have not had a general method in the multi-dimensional case so far. Of course we can use the compositional rule Of inference. However there are two difficulties: one is to identify or construct a fuzzy relation not merely as, for example, a Cartesian product of some number of fuzzy sets, and the other is to calculate a multi-dimensional fuzzy relational composition, for example, in order to compute a fuzzy control algorithm in real time. The idea suggested here is quite simple and reasonable, which is very similar to linear interpolation. We should first consider that we cannot logically infer anything from a single implication, say, A + B unless the same premise to A is given. This is also somewhat true in fuzzy reasoning. This is the reason why there are some persons who translate A 4 B into a fuzzy relation R = A + B and not A 4 V where V is the universe of discourse of B. Suppose x is big* y is small. Then no one can infer the value of y from this single implication when, for example, x is medium. We should have at least two different implications, Ai + B, and A24 B2 for one-dimensional reasoning. What we can do then is to infer something when we are given a premise lying between A1 and AZ. This reasoning must anyhow be carried out using some method like interpolation. Apart from computational technique, it is sufficient for the purpose to discuss two-dimensional case. Thus we can start with 4 implications such that (x (x (x (x is is is is Ai, Al, A*, Aa, y y y y is is is is
B,) --, z is C1r,

BJ+ t is Ci2,
B,)+ z is Ctl, B2) + z is C,,.

The important point we want to stress is that we cannot translate (x is A, y is B) into, for example, (x, y) is A X B where A X B is Cartesian product, since generally a pair of two propositions (x is A, y is B) could be any relation as mentioned also in the introduction. This means that we should deal with (x is A, y is B) directly without modification. The situation of 4 implications is shown in Fig. 1. Our problem is to infer z is C from a given premise (x is A, y is B) where A is assumed to be between A1 and A2 and also B between Br and B2. When we apply fuzzy reasoning introduced in the previous section to this problem, we face a difficulty to find T such that (x is A, y is B) = (x is Al, y is B,) is 7, where r is a linguistic truth value. It is impossible to solve the above semantical equation

Multi-dimensional

fuzzy

reasoning

317

I y b-T -cc11 BI I *I

I T %*2 x

B+-i-t ;--s--r-T-4 i
A2
Fig. 2. Outline of algorithm.

Fig. 1. Four implications.

unless the relation between x and y is given. That is, generally the truth value of a pair of propositions is expressed using those of individual propositions as (A,, &I =f(At, -- B,) a function f of arbitrary Ai and B, is unknown. Our method can do f. outline of the algorithm is shown in Fig. 2. First let us infer the value of z point (A,, B) from (A,, B,) as indicated by an arrow in Fig. 2. Modus is written (x is Al, y is B), (x is Ai, y is BJ+ 2 is Cl1 z is Cl1

where without The at the ponens

Here Cl1 is easily obtained by one-dimensional reasoning shown in the previous section since Al is fixed along the arrow. That is, set (x is Al, y is B)=(x then clearly yisB=yisBrisr
(16)

is Ai, y is B,) is r

(15)

for the same r. Let us next infer z at the same point (A,, B) this time from (A,, B,). That is (x is Al, B), Now let Dl=f(c;,+c;*). Then we obtain a new implication (x is Al, y is B)+ (17) with respect to the point (A,, B) such that (x is Ai, BJ +- z is Cl* z is Cl*

z is D1.

Here D1 may be obtained in another way: D1 = C;, tl Ci2. For the point (AZ, B) we can also obtain an implication such that (x is AZ, y is B) += z is D2. Finally if we follow the same procedure along the dotted arrows in Fig. 2, we can infer the value of z at (A, B). So the method is just like linear interpolation. In the following section we shall show how well the method works.

318

M.

Sugeno,

T.

Takagi

-Al

Fig. 3. Outline of algorithm.

Let us consider the inverse problem such as finding x when y is B and z is C are given. The first half part of the algorithm is the same as in the previous case. We start from the part where Q and D2 in Fig. 2 have been obtained. That is, we have two implications (x is A,, y is B)-+ z is D,, (x is A*, y is B) + z is I&. The second half of the algorithm is illustrated Fig. 3. Now consider the following modus tollens: z is C, (x is Al, y is B) + z is Q (x is A;, y is B) this time in the (y, z) plane as in

Since y is B is fixed, the problem is also reduced to one-dimensional modus tollens. So x is A; can be inferred, which is shown by the lower arrow in Fig. 3. Along the upper arrow, x is A; is also obtained. By setting A = (A i + A;)/2, x is A is finally inferred from (y is B, z is C).

4. Illmlrative

example

4.1. Reasoning based on modus ponens Let us consider the following linear functional
z=x+ay

relation
(18)

to examine the validity of the method. This relation is understood ing relation which we want to express by a set of fuzzy implications. fuzzy variables used in implications are chosen as PI(X) =& x +;, x E [-z, a],

as an underlyFor simplicity

(1%
(20)

N,(x) = P1(-x>,
PAY)=&
WY)

y+3,

YEL-7, Yl,

(21) (22)

= M-y),

Multi-dimensional

fuzzy reasoning

319

Fig. 4. Membership

functions of P,, N,.

Fig. 5. Membership

functions of P2, N2.

where P and N imply positive and negative, respectively, and Pi(x) is membership function of Pi. Those are shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In the sequel membership function of a fuzzy set A will be written A(x). Let us further assume that the value of z, for example, at the point (x is Pi, PJ is precisely given according to the underlying relation shown in (18). Then have an implication (x is PI, y is PJ -+ z is PI + aPz. Denote P3 =Pl+aP,, then follows by a simple calculation
.

the the y is we

PJz)=(P1+aP*)(z)=

z+$. -I 2(x + ujq

(23)

The method of calculation such as P, + aP, is discussed in the Appendix. In a similar manner, we have implications for the other three points as is shown in Fig. 6. They are (x (x (x (x where PJz)= N(z)
2(x + aj3

is is is is

Ni, Ni, PI, P,,

y is NJ + y is P2) + y is NJ + y is PZ) +

z is NJ, z is P4, z is N4, z is P3,

z+;,

(24) (25)
(26)

= PA-z), 1 P,$(z) = z+$, 2(aY - 3)

N,(z) = PA-z),

(27)

and a7 + ff # 0, ajj -2 # 0 are assumed of course. Now let us consider a special premise such as (x is x0, y is yo) where x0 and y, are singletons. What we expect by this is to obtain z. = x0+ aye from our fuzzy reasoning. According to the algorithm described in the previous section, we have two m.odus ponens along the lines reaching (x is P,, y is y,) in Fig. 6 such that (PI, Yo), (PI, Pd --, P3 , 6 (PI, YO), (p,, NJ --* N4 . W

M. Sugeno, T. Takagi I
pz-

I -I----p3-

Ye-y--tI3
Nl

N-N 2

yx0
Pl

Fig. 6. Situation of implications.

Assuming that the truth values of all the implications are u-true, that is, r(a)=& in (4), we obtain from the procedure of fuzzy reasoning shown in Section 2 p;(z) = P3(z) + 1 - P*(Yo) 1 1 z-ycJ+ 1, = 2(@ + f) 27

(28)

N(z) = N$(z) + 1 - ~z(y,)

=1 2(@-x) Lyo+l. f +2g
(2%

They are shown in Fig. 7.

0
(a-il$yo

(a-W

Fig. 7. Membership functions of Pi and N;.

Let

K = $(P; + NA), then K(2)=&(z+2f-ay,) which is shown in Fig. 8.

(30)

(31)

] T-m- ---_ K(Z) ! [ 0

=y0

=y 0

Fig. 8. Membership function of K.

Fig. 9. Membership function of H.

Multi-dimensional

fuzzy

reasoning

321

We have also two modus ponens for the point (N,, yO) such that WI, Yo), WI, PA + p4 9 p; Let H = $(P; + N;), then we also obtain H(z)= -&(z-2f-ay,) (33) (32) UC YCJ, w,, Nz) + N3 N;

which is shown in Fig. 9. Now the new implications

with respect to (P,, yO) and (N,, yO) are

(x is P,, y is yO) + z is K, (x is Nr, y is yJ-+ z is H. Finally we have the following modus ponens along the dotted lines in Fig. 6. , as (34) (35)
(xc,, YO), WI, YO)+ H

(x0, Yoh

(PI, Yo)+ K

K where H and K are calculated K(z)=K(z)-Pr(xJ+l,

H(Z) = H(z) - N,(x,) + 1. They are shown in Fig. 10. Let L = ;(K+ H),

(36) which is just found to be a (37)

then L is the final consequence of fuzzy reasoning, singleton as is shown in Fig. 11. That is L=x,+ay,,

which gives the precise value of z at (x,, y,,). Thus we can state that our method of multi-dimensional fuzzy reasoning represents precisely a linear functional relation. We should recall that we have used only 4 implications at all.

-;-g------T@0 I

1 ----I;;--

aat% -x

I ayo+xo+Ti

z x0 +ayo Fig. 11. Membership function of L.

Fig. 10. Membership functions of K and H.

322

M. Sugeno, T. Takagi
based on modus tollens

4.2. Reasoning

Now let us consider the inverse problem of that discussed in the previous section. Our problem is to And x when (y is yo, z is zo) is given. According to the algorithm, we can start from Fig. 12.
4

I yQ-H-KI Nl

I I Pl

Fig. 12. Situation of two implications.

We have already obtained two implications (x is IV,, y is yo) ---, z is H, (x is PI, y is yo) + 2 is K,

on the line y = y, in Fig. 12 such as

where H and K are given in (32) and (30). When (yo, zo) is given, we can consider the following 20, (PI, Yo) + H UT Yo) 20, WI, yo) + K WY> Yo) .

two modus tollens.

Fig. 13. Two modus tollens.

They are illustrated

P;(x) = -PJx)

on the (y, z) plane in Fig. 13. We have from (14)

+ K(Z0) + 1, (3%

N;(x)=-N,(x)+H(z,)+l. Let s =f(P:+N;), then it follows that

S=zo-ay,

(39)

(40)

(41)

which also gives the precise value of x, i.e. x0 = zo- aye.

Multi-dimensional

fuzzy

reasoning

323

Conclusions We have discussed some problems concerned with multi-dimensional fuzzy reasoning and proposed a method. The method enables us to precisely represent any linear functional relation. On the other hand it is very difficult to find a fuzzy relation in a compositional rule of inference which can represent a linear functional relation under the condition that four implications, for example, are given as discussed in the paper. The purpose of our research is to give a new mathematical tool to describe systems, or in other words to give a way to fuzzy modelling of systems. It is of crucial importance for general purpose to examine the ability of the description of such and such a mathematical tool. So we have discussed our method in detail.

Appendix. monotone

Addition and subtraction membership functions

in a class of fuzzy numbers

with linear

Here we deal with extended operations in a special class of fuzzy numbers. Suppose a class of fuzzy sets as are shown in Fig. 14.

(4
Fig. 14.

b) membership functions P(x) and

where fuzzy sets P and N have linear monotone N(x), respectively.

P(x)=-&2
N(Y)
= -A 2

(x- 4,
(Y
1

x Era,, 419
Y

- bJ>

Elib,, &I.
and N-.

Their inverse functions are denoted by P-

P-(a) N-(a) = (a* - a& + a,, = -(b, - bl)a + bZ,

a E [O, 1).

There are two types of fuzzy numbers, P and N, in the class. A singleton is considered as a special case of P or N. It is well known that a set of fuzzy numbers with an operation addition does not form a group. For example, let
X=P+N.

324

M.Sugeno, T. Takagi

According

to the extension principle, &=P,+N,

taking o-cut, we have

= (P-(a), aJ+[b,, N-(d) = (P-'(a)+ bl, N-(a) + UJ.

If we subtract P from X, then x, -P, = (P-(o) = (P-(a) #Na. That is (P+N)-Pf N. then it is natural Next let us take another more simple example. Let Y = 2P-P, to expect Y = P. However we have Y,=2P,-P, = (2P-(o), 2a,]-(P-(a), a,] = (2P-(cr) - Q2. 2a2 - P-(a)] z PCS That is Yf P. As for addition, it is true that 3P = 2P + P, for example. Notice that P + N is an operation of the kind 2P-P since N is a fuzzy number of the type -P. In general we have to take caution of subtraction defined by the extension principle. We should indirectly calculate A -B by finding X such that A = X+B. So let us try to find Y such that 2P= Y+P. Setting Y, = (y,(a), y,(a)], we have
W-(a), 2a,l=

+ bl, N-(o) + ClJ -(P-(cr>, a,1 + br - a2, N-(a) - P-(a) + ~2)

(y,(a), Y2b)3+(~-1b), = (YlM + p-v43

a21
Y2b) +

a,].

This implies that Y = P since yl(a) = P-*(a) and y2(a) = u2 are obtained. Now we present new extended operations in a class of fuzzy numbers with linear monotone membership functions which give a group structure. Addition :

Inverse :

x = -P t-, X-'(a)

= -P-'(a).

Multi-dimensional

fuzzy reasoning

325

Scalar multiplication: x = UP f;, x-(a) = d-(a).

The results of these operations belong to the same class; the operations are closed. It is valid that (P + N) - P = N, 2P-P = P and 3P = 2P + P, etc. It is easily seen that this class of fuzzy numbers with addition yields a commutative group.

References
[l] J.F. Baldwin, A model of fuzzy reasoning through multi-valued logic and set theory, Int. J. Man-Machine Studies 11 (1979) 351-380. [2] J.F. Baldwin, Fuzzy logic and approximate reasoning for mixed input arguments, Int. J. ManMachine Studies 11 (1979) 381-396. [3] S. Fukami, M. Mizumoto and K. Tanaka, Some considerations on fuzzy conditional inference, Fuzzy Sets and Systems 4 (1980) 243-273. [4] Y. Tsukamoto, An approach to fuzzy rsasoning method, in: M.M. Gupta, Ed. Advances in Fuzzy Set Theory and Applications (North-Holland), Amsterdam, 1979) 137-149. [5] L.A. Zadeh, Fuzzy logic and approximate reasoning, Synthese 30 (1975) 407-428.