Ranking fuzzy numbers by distance minimization

In this paper, we proposed a defuzzification using minimizer of the distance between the two fuzzy numbers. Then, we obtain the nearest point with respect to a fuzzy numbers and by considering the nearest point, we can present a ranking method for the fuzzy numbers. Also we give two new properties for ordering. Theorems and remarks are proposed for existence and uniqueness of the nearest point. The method is illustrated by numerical examples and compared with other methods. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.