Constructive and axiomatic approaches of fuzzy approximation operators

This paper presents a general framework for the study of rough set approximation operators in fuzzy environment in which both constructive and axiomatic approaches are used. In constructive approach, a pair of lower and upper generalized fuzzy rough (and rough fuzzy, respectively) approximation operators is first defined. The representations of both fuzzy rough approximation operators and rough fuzzy approximation operators are then presented. The connections between fuzzy (and crisp, respectively) relations and fuzzy rough (and rough fuzzy, respectively) approximation operators are further established. In axiomatic approach, various classes of fuzzy approximation operators are characterized by different sets of axioms. The minimal axiom sets of fuzzy approximation operators guarantee the existence of certain types of fuzzy or crisp relations producing the same operators. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.