1. Introduction
It is well known that one of the most rapidly growing branches of modern applied mathematics is fuzzy logic and its objects. More and more applications of fuzzy implication and fuzzy negations are widespread; negations either through these implications or autonomously. Fuzzy implication is the generalization of classical (Boolean) implication in the interval [0, 1]. It plays perhaps the most important role in the field of fuzzy logic, decision theory and fuzzy control. The article presents new methods for constructing fuzzy negations [
1,
2,
3,
4]. Furthermore, the creation of new fuzzy implications [
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
13,
14], and through them, new fuzzy negations is necessary. Using the knowledge and information gained through the study of relevant writings [
15,
16,
17,
18,
19], the article proceeds to study other areas of fuzzy logic. Other interesting objects of fuzzy logic are copulas [
20,
21,
22,
23,
24,
25]. Since new classes of negations and implications can be defined, the generated negations will be used to construct, additionally, two new classes of copulas.
Methodologically, this article’s analysis begins in
Section 2 by listing all the theorems and remarks that will be useful in the proof of the constructions below. Those definitions are listed in the order they are used. Definitions 1–5 relate to the construction of the fuzzy negations, Definitions 6 and 7 relate to the construction of fuzzy implications and Definitions 8–12 are helpful in the construction of copulas.
Therefore, for practical reasons, the first object to deal with is the construction of strong negations [
1,
2,
3,
4]. Some of the areas that strong negations apply are as follows:
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Particularly in designing systems that handle uncertain or imprecise information.
Control Systems: For instance, in developing controllers for complex systems like washing machines, air conditioners and automotive systems.
Decision Making: Assisting in multi-criteria decision-making processes where inputs are not clear-cut.
Pattern Recognition: Helping in classifying patterns that are not crisply defined.
Robotics: Enabling robots to handle ambiguous or uncertain environments.
Data Mining: For analyzing and interpreting data that are noisy or incomplete.
Natural Language Processing (NLP): Managing the inherent ambiguity and imprecision in human language.
Medical Diagnosis: Supporting systems that need to deal with uncertain or imprecise medical data.
All the fuzzy negations that will be presented will have the form of a multi-branch function and will be based on Definition 5 [
1]. This definition constructs negations with the help of the equilibrium point. Two classes of strong fuzzy negations will be constructed. And every class of negations is followed by one example. The second example presents a class of negations with a special property: it makes it very easy to calculate the equilibrium point. This calculation will be obtained by solving a simple secondary equation.
What follows is the construction of a fuzzy implication [
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
13,
20,
21,
24] with an alternative way, without the use of fuzzy negations.
This will be achieved with the use of the formula . For every x, y into the interval [0, 1] and the use of a decreasing function f(x), the formula helps to construct fuzzy implications. In addition, the formula constructs one branch of a strong fuzzy negation (Remark 1) and, autonomously, a strict fuzzy negation (Remark 2). The construction of the implication will be achieved with the use of Definitions 6 and 7. Let us mention some of the areas where fuzzy implications are important:
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (Expert System, Knowledge Representation) 2. Control Systems (Fuzzy Control) 3. Decision Support System (Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), Risk Assessment) 4. Pattern Recognition and Image Processing (Classification, Image Segmentation) 5. Robotics (Autonomous Navigation, Sensor Fusion) 6. Natural Language Processing (NLP) (Semantic Analysis, Text Mining) 7. Medical Diagnosis and Healthcare (Diagnostic Systems, Treatment Planning) 8. Economics and Finance (Forecasting, Credit Scoring).
Finally, with the use of the fuzzy negations, newly constructed classes of copulas are built. Making some adjustments to the functions used in the construction of the negations, three-dimensional copulas [
20,
21,
22,
23,
24] will be generated. Again, the formula
will participate in the construction of a class of copulas, with some minor modifications. It is well known that copulas find huge applications in economic problems, portfolio management and risk analysis, specifically in the banking, insurance and investing fields.
In conclusion, this article aims to answer the following questions:
- (1)
Is there an easy way to calculate the equilibrium point in a two-branch strong negation?
- (2)
Are there real functions that can provide at the same time the construction of strong negations, implications and copulas?
- (3)
Is there a point of convergence in the construction of fuzzy negations, fuzzy implications and copulas?
- (4)
Can the formula provide more alternative options?
- (5)
Can this article provide knowledge for future use in robotics kai AI technology?
The paper is organized as follows:
Section 2 is a reminder of the basic concepts and definitions used in the paper.
Section 3 analyzes the newly constructed methods of strong fuzzy negations, fuzzy implications and copulas. One example for every theorem given is presented.
Section 4 is about the discussion of the results, and
Section 5 is the conclusion.
2. Materials and Methods
Some theorems of fuzzy logic and some definitions will be listed here. This will be conducted so that the theorems concerning the upcoming constructions will be explained and proved. To help the readers get familiar with the theory, some of the concepts and results employed in the rest of the paper shall be recalled below.
In this section all the theorems and propositions necessary to be able to present and fully prove the constructions we have mentioned above will be given.
Theorems from the whole range of the literature concerning the structural definitions of fuzzy negations, fuzzy implications and copulas will be given. In particular, Definitions 1–5 are concerned exclusively with the construction of negations, Definitions 6 and 7 are concerned with the construction of fuzzy implications, and Definitions 8–12 are concerned with the constructions to be presented in the area of copulas.
Νote also that between Definitions 5 and 6 there is a table with reference to the most important and best-known classes of fuzzy negations.
At this point, a special bibliographical reference could be made to the articles on the construction of copulas, their properties, Archimedeans and fuzzy copulas [
21,
24,
26].
Definition 1. (see [1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11,12,13,14] Definition 1.4.1). The function is a fuzzy negation if the following properties are applied: Definition 2. (see [1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11,12,13,14] Definition 1.4.2 (i)). A fuzzy negation N is called strict if the following properties are applied: Definition 3. (see [1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11,12,13,14] Definition 1.4.2 (ii)). A fuzzy negation N is called strong if Definition 4. (see [1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11,12,13,14] Definition 1.4.2 (ii)). The solution of the equation is called the equilibrium point of N. If the function N is continuous, the equilibrium point is unique. Definition 5 ([1]). Strong branching fuzzy negations can be produced, while in every branch is a decreasing function. If is a fuzzy negation, which is not necessary, a strong negation and where ε is the equilibrium point of . So, if is any continuous fuzzy negation in the interval [0, 1], then the following form [12] product is strong fuzzy negations and, in our case, rational fuzzy negations (Figure 1). The above formula will be generalized by using two functions one decreasing and one increasing.
Below is
Table 1 listing the most well-known classes of fuzzy negations.
Fuzzy implications have probably become the most important operations in fuzzy logic, approximate reasoning and fuzzy control. These operators not only model fuzzy conditionals but also make inferences in any fuzzy rule-based system. These operators are defined as follows:
Definition 6 (see [8,9,10,11,12,13,14] Definition 1.1.1). A function is called a fuzzy implication if it satisfies, for all
the following conditions: Definition 7 (see [8,9,10,11,12,13,14] Definition 1.4.15 (ii)). If I is a fuzzy implication, then the function
with the form
is called natural negation of I. Definition 8 ([26]). Let I be a nonempty interval of R. A function f from I to R is convex if, and only if, Definition 9 ([20,21,22,23,24,26]). A function is called a copula if it satisfies the following properties: The C-volume of a rectangle must be not negative, e.g.,for each
and
where
, Definition 10 ([20,21,22,23,24,26]). If the function C is a copula, then the function in form for each is also a copula, and it is called survival copula. Definition 11 ([20,21,22,23,24,26]). If f is a decreasing function where , then we define the pseudo-inverse of function f Definition 12 ([20,21,22,23,24,26]). Let be a continuous, strictly decreasing and convex function such that , and let be the pseudo-inverse. Let defined by
Then, C is an Archimedean Copula.
3. Results
In this section, this article will present all the constructions resulting from the use of the definitions in the previous section. All the proofs will be presented in detail, with mathematical relations and explanations. In total, five theorems and an interesting proof on the third property of copulas (increasing with respect to the variables x, y) will be presented.
The first theorem proves that a class of multi-branching functions will be a strong fuzzy negation. An example of this follows. The second theorem presents another class of possible fuzzy negations. This second class with some adjustments presents the formula . The following example gives a class of strong fuzzy negations that presents great ease in finding the equilibrium point.
The third proof concerns the presentation of a fuzzy implication using the same formula , avoiding the use of some fuzzy negation.
This article then moves on to the spectrum of copulas.
First, a proof of some classes of copulas will be presented.
This will be followed by the proofs of two propositions on the definition of copulas and, finally, another proof of a class of copulas containing the formula .
3.1. New Forms of Strong Fuzzy Negations
Strong branching fuzzy negations can be produced [
1] while in every branch there is a decreasing function. Let
be a fuzzy negation, not necessarily a strong negation, and
where ε is the equilibrium point of
. So, if
is any continuous fuzzy negation in the interval [0, 1], then the following form [
12] produces strong fuzzy negations
and, in our case, rational fuzzy negations.
In the
Figure 2 below, consider
and
The above formula will be generalized using two functions one decreasing and one increasing.
Generating Classes of Strong Fuzzy Negations
Theorem 1. Let ε the equilibrium point of , continuous decreasing function and continuous increasing function with the conditions: well defined, and and k > 0 positive real number. Then, the following form is a class of strong fuzzy negations: Proof of Theorem 1. The proof that the class of strong negations above is a continuous function will be given first. It is obvious that what is examined is the continuity in the equilibrium point. Assuming that all the values x of the equilibrium points are the solution of the equation , then it implies:
= x ⇔ ⇔, for k > 0 implies that = and, finally, = . That proves that the two multi-branched functions intersect on the line y = x at the equilibrium point. That proves that the negation is a continuous function in the interval [0, 1].
Boundary conditions
Monotony condition
For implies that
For every
where
So that proves that is decreasing when .
For implies that
For every
where
So . That concludes that is decreasing when .
Synthesis condition
The most important condition for a negation to be strong is as follows:
Because of the way the negation class is constructed, the set of values of one branch is mapped to the definition domain of the other branch. Thus, when synthesizing the negation with itself, the type of one branch inside the other is placed and vice versa.
That equals the following:
And vice versa the following:
The class of negations is continuous as an operation of continuous functions, and it holds that for any x [0, 1] then . Therefore, this class of fuzzy negations is a strong one. □
Example 1. One example of fuzzy negations is presented, generated by Theorem 1.
Let the decreasing function f(x) be the function f(x) =
. It is easy to check that f(x) is positive, decreasing, f (0) = 1 and continuous. Let g(x) =
, g(x) ≥ 0 and increasing, g(0) = 0 and k > 0. This means that
=
. Let us now construct the fuzzy negation proved before, which will be the following:
where
ε is the equilibrium point. Quite easily can someone find out that
completes all the conditions needed.
Monotony conditions
(1) and again
(2) I multiply (1) and (2):
it is decreasing.
Synthesis condition
The most important condition for a negation to be strong is the following:
Again, because of the way the negation class is constructed, the set of values of one branch is mapped to the definition domain of the other branch. Thus, when synthesizing the negation with itself, the type of one branch is placed inside the other and vice versa.
Theorem 2. Let ε the equilibrium point of , continuous decreasing function and with the following conditions:
well defined, . Then, the following form is a class of strong fuzzy negations: Proof of Theorem 2. First of all, the proof that the class of strong negations above is a continuous function must be given. It is obvious that the continuity in the equilibrium point must be examined. So, let someone assume that all the values x of the equilibrium points are the solution of the equation . That implies the following:
= x ⇔ ⇔ , for g(x) > 0 then = . That proves that the two bifurcated functions intersect on the line y = x at the equilibrium point. That proves that the negation is a continuous function in the interval [0, 1].
Boundary conditions
Monotony condition
For implies that
For every
where
So, it is concluded that is decreasing when .
For then
For every
where
So, we conclude that is decreasing when .
Synthesis condition
The most important condition for a negation to be strong is the following:
Again, because of the way the negation class we are studying is constructed, the set of values of one branch is mapped to the definition domain of the other branch. Thus, when we synthesize the negation with itself, we place the type of one branch inside the other and vice versa.
So, we have:
. And vice versa, it is the following:
The class of negations is continuous as an operation of continuous functions, and it holds that for any x [0, 1] then . Therefore, this class of fuzzy negations is a strong one. □
Remark 1. Let k = > 0, for every 0 ≤ y < 1 then 0 < ≤ 1, so the negation takes the following form: This is a strong fuzzy negation. Remark 2. For y = 0 and f(1) = 0 the function is a strict fuzzy negation.
Remark 3. We will examine later the form which we will prove is a fuzzy implication. The same form of the g(x) function, will take part in the construction of a copula.
Example 2. One example of fuzzy negations is presented, generated by Theorem 2.
Let the decreasing function f(x) be the function f(x) =
. It is easy to check that f(x) is positive, decreasing, f (0) = 1 and continuous. Let k > 0. This means that f(k*x) =
. Let us now construct the fuzzy negation proved before, which will be the following:
where ε is the equilibrium point. This means that finding the point x=ε is the target. To achieve this someone has to solve the equation
= x ⇔
which is a second-degree equation. We use the type
where the one solution is rejected
=
because it is negative. That means
ε =. So, the formula takes the form of:
then
In this way, a strong negation has been constructed in which someone can quite easily calculate the equilibrium point. That way, negations can exist that satisfy many types of implications or other problems while the class of negations created has a great range of values, easily calculated. For example (
Figure 3):
For k = 12, we calculate that ε = 0.25 and appears at the graph .
For k = 2, we calculate that ε = 0.5 and appears at the graph .
For k = 0.3125, we calculate that ε = 0.8 and appears at the graph
Figure 3.
The graph of three specific examples of the negation .
Figure 3.
The graph of three specific examples of the negation .
3.2. Constructing Non-Symmetric Fuzzy Implications without the Use of Fuzzy Negations
Already mentioned above are the conditions that must be met for a function to be a fuzzy implication. In this section, there will be presented a construction of a fuzzy implication, non-symmetric and without the use of fuzzy negation. To perform this, it is necessary to use one of the two functions we have already used so far. The function f(x), which is strictly decreasing, is continuous, and f(0) = 1.
Theorem 3. Let the function , continuous, well defined, then as I(x,y) = , and f(x) decreasing and f(0) = 1. Then, I(x,y) is a fuzzy implication.
Definition 13 ([20,21,22,23,24,26]). A function is called a fuzzy implication if it satisfies, for all the following conditions: Proof of Theorem 3. - (a)
For every ⇔ so, I(,y)≥ I(
- (b)
For every ⇔ for x ≥ 0 so, I() ≤ I(
- (c)
I(0,0) = 1
- (d)
I(1,1) =
- (e)
I(1,0) = . □
This verifies all five properties of fuzzy implications. So, our function I(x,y) = is a non-symmetric fuzzy implication.
Example 3. Now, one example will be presented of the theorem above.
Let the function f(x) = which is decreasing, f(0) = 1 and be well defined in the interval [0, 1]. Let us prove that I(x,y) = is a fuzzy implication.
- (1)
For every ⇔ so I(,y)≥ I(
- (2)
For every for x ≥ 0 so I() ≤ I(
- (3)
I(0,0) = = = 1
- (4)
I(1,1) = = = 1
- (5)
I(1,0) = = . That means that I(x,y) = is a fuzzy implication.
3.3. Generating Copulas Using the Same Functions
In this section, the construction of copulas will be given, functions that are known from their applications in economics and risk analysis, as well as in fuzzy logic in general. So far, our constructions were based on two specific functions called f(x) and g(x) and given some properties. Now, exactly the same functions will be used to construct the copulas. In some of these cases, some additional properties will be given.
Theorem 4. Let the function be continuous, strictly increasing and convex, g(0) = 0, g(1) = 1, with continuous. The function , when (x,y) = is a copula with the symmetric and incentive effect.
Proof of Theorem 4. Let us remember that there are three conditions that make C(x, y) a copula.
- (1)
for each
- (2)
for each
- (3)
The C-volume of a rectangle must be not negative, e.g.,
for each
and
where
,
For the proof of the first condition after replacing the following:
- (1)
= 0
= 0
- (2)
- (3)
There are two options for proving the third property. If the function g(x) is productive, then it is relatively easy to prove the third property, provided that the derivative is positive. But, if the function g(x) is not productive, then the proof becomes much more complex and difficult. Both cases will be listed. □
Proposition 1. Knowing that for a function to be 2-increasing, must satisfy the inequality . This inequality is equivalent to when C is a differentiable function.
Proof of Proposition 1. When someone applies the Mean Value Theorem for the function
in the interval
Applying the Mean Value Theorem for the function
in the interval
Let us suppose that
then
□
- (a)
Considering
is convex, we have that
)″(x) ≥ 0. So, we have the following:
Indeed, because g(x) ≥ 0, g’(x) ≥ 0, ≥ 0, ≥ 0, ≥ 0.
- (b)
If function g(x) is not productive, the proof of the third property becomes very difficult and interesting and comes with the help of the classical definition of convexity.
Definition 14. A function is convex if, for all (x, y) in the domain of f, and for all t in [0, 1] when the inequalityholds. Knowing that the copula we constructed is a three-dimensional function, the definition is the following:
Definition 15. A function is convex if, for all points (), in the domain of f (x), and for all t [0, 1] when the inequality Proposition 2. Knowing that for a function to be 2-increasing, must satisfy the inequality . If g(x) is convex and strictly increasing yet non-productive, then the function (x, y) = is 2-increasing.
Proof of Proposition 2. First of all, let us give a proof that if is convex, then C(x, y) is convex. Let
(x, y) =, 01, 0 1, which also means that 0 1, 1.
Also, g(x) is strictly increasing so let (x) = u and (y) = w. That means that 0 .
So, let . That makes (x, y) = = =, which proves that if is convex, then (x, y) is convex.
Due to the monotony conditions, it is proved that
For every pair of
, when
For every pair of
, when
For every pair of
, when
For every pair of
, when
Using the four inequalities above, someone can build the inequalities below:
multiplying relation (30) by t, t
[0, 1] and relation (31) by (1 − t), by (1 − t)
[0, 1], and so
Adding by members the inequalities (32) and (33) it implies the following:
Knowing that the function C(x, y) is a continuous function inside the domain of [
× [
], someone can make use of the intermediate value theorem, which means that for every t
[0, 1] there are points (
[
× [
] so that
Remembering the definition of convexity for points
),
in the domain of f(x) and for all t
[0, 1], then
It is assumed, without the limitation of generality and knowing, that the function C(x, y) is symmetric
((x, y) = (y, x)) that for every t [0, 1] and every ,
= and = . Thus, substituting in relation (36) we obtain the following:
). Now the substitute from relation (35) and obtain:
Relation (37) stands for every t
[0, 1], so for t = 0.5, we obtain the following:
Multiply by two, and finally
This is the third property needed to satisfy for (x, y) to be a copula. □
Remark 3. In addition, it should be noted that the copula constructed above matches both the symmetric and the prefix property.
Example 4. Let the function g(x) = when 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, then, when 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. So, we construct the copula (x, y) = Let us check the three conditions:
- (1)
- (2)
- (3)
The function g(x) is productive, so it is relatively easy to prove the third property, provided that the derivative
In the next theorem, we will try to combine the construction of the fuzzy implication that we have already constructed with the construction of the last copulas.
Theorem 5. Let the function continuous, strictly increasing and convex, g(0) = 0, g(1) = 1 and continuous. The function , when Proof of the Theorem 5. - (1)
- (a)
and that is because is convex, which means that
- (b)
- (2)
Let and , which means that C(x, y) is either equal to or . It has already been proven before that if the function is convex, the third property of the copulas is settled. So, there is no need to prove again, as the proof is obvious. □
Example 5. Let the function for every x in the interval 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 be continuous, strictly increasing and convex, with continuous and strictly increasing. We will prove the following:
The function C(x,y) = is a copula.
- (1)
C(x,0) =
C(0,y) = 0,0} = 0
- (2)
C(x,1) = = max{x, } = x because x ≥ .
C(1,y) = max = max{,y} = y again because y ≥ .
- (3)
As for the third property, we just have to prove that g(x) is convex. We can easily check that g’(x) = and ≥ 0, so g(x) is convex and the third property is automatically proved.
4. Discussion
The primary main goal of this paper is to present fuzzy negations, fuzzy implications and copulas through a common construction process, using very simple functions with certain properties. In fact, by studying the paper in its entirety, one can see that the present constructions could be performed using a single function.
In an attempt to detail the role played in these constructions by the formula
the following points should be emphasized: f(x) is strictly decreasing, f(0) = 1 and f
−1 (y) > 0. Going ahead with the constructions, some additional properties are given to f(x), such as it is convex, and f(1) = 0. These additional properties do not negate the previous constructions but merely come to complement them. In
Section 3 where the constructions are presented, a reference to two functions is made, since, in addition to the decreasing function f(x), there is also in use an increasing function g(x) with almost similar properties. To be precise, one can easily assume that g(x) = f (1−x). So, what is achieved? The achievement is to represent all of the above constructs by means of a single formula
and a single function f(x). Recall also that strong negations were constructed with the help of the use of the equilibrium point. Negations that help to calculate exactly what the equilibrium point will be. In addition to that, a very interesting construction is presented that is proved to be a copula, the
(x, y) =. This copula formula is very similar to the other formula presented in
Section 3 (
C(x,y) = ). A very detailed proof is given concerning the fact that if the function g(x) is convex,
(x, y) will always be a copula.
If we try to talk about the consequences of, for example, applying some of the copulas proved in
Section 3 to domains of fuzzy logic such as AI and robotics, this will be a significant prospect. Other areas, such as “Control synthesis for discrete-time T-S fuzzy systems based on membership function-dependent H∞ performance” [
27] or “Finite-Time Membership Function-Dependent H∞ Control for T-S Fuzzy Systems via a Dynamic Memory Event-Triggered Mechanism” [
28] will have results that could be some of the below:
Uncertainty Handling: Copulas can be used to model the dependency between different uncertainties in the system. By incorporating copulas into the T-S fuzzy model, one can more accurately capture the interdependencies between different sources of uncertainty, leading to more robust control designs.
Performance Enhancement: Copulas can help in designing membership function-dependent H∞ controllers by accurately modeling the joint behavior of the system’s uncertainties. This leads to better performance metrics, such as improved disturbance rejection and enhanced stability under varying operating conditions.
Event-Triggered Mechanisms: The use of copulas can optimize event-triggering conditions by better predicting the evolution of system states and disturbances. This optimization can lead to more efficient control actions, reducing unnecessary computations and communications while maintaining desired performance levels.
- -
Modeling Dependencies: Both papers focus on enhancing control synthesis by considering the dependencies between uncertainties. Copulas offer a sophisticated way to model these dependencies, leading to improved controller performance.
- -
Robustness and Adaptivity: By using copulas, controllers can be designed to be more adaptive to varying conditions and more robust against disturbances, aligning with the goals of H∞ performance and finite-time stability.
- -
Efficiency in Control: In event-triggered mechanisms, copulas can optimize the conditions for control actions, leading to more efficient system operation without compromising performance.
In essence, copulas provide a powerful tool to enhance the modeling and control of T-S fuzzy systems by accurately capturing the dependencies between uncertainties, thus improving the robustness and efficiency of control strategies discussed in both papers.
5. Conclusions
Fuzzy negations are necessary in many areas and especially in generating new fuzzy implications. In this article, there have been proposed some novel construction methods of strong fuzzy negations. This is achieved using a specific type of formula to construct at the same time strong fuzzy negations, fuzzy implications and Copulas in an attempt to bring those mathematical concepts a bit closer. Two theorems are presented in negations, one in implications and two theorems in copulas. All of the above are accompanied by their own proofs. Furthermore, there is presented one very interesting proof in the third property of the copulas regarding how one non-productive function g(x) constructs a copula only if it is convex.
The above constructions are intended to provide the mathematical community with the following information:
- (a)
All of the above constructs can be represented by means of very simple functions, common among the concepts used.
- (b)
A formula is presented that participates in all three mathematical concepts discussed in this article.
- (c)
A proof in the area of copulas is presented.
All of the above is intended to bring all the mathematical concepts discussed in this article closer together, from a mathematical point of view, and to give ground for future analysts to build on it and further investigate the convergence and application of these concepts.
6. Patents
The formula
which can generate strict fuzzy negations, strong fuzzy negations, fuzzy implications and copulas for a strictly decreasing, positive function, convex with