Combination of interval-valued fuzzy set and soft set

The soft set theory, proposed by Molodtsov, can be used as a general mathematical tool for dealing with uncertainty. By combining the interval-valued fuzzy set and soft set models, the purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of the interval-valued fuzzy soft set. The complement, AND and OR operations are defined on the interval-valued fuzzy soft sets. The DeMorgan's, associative and distribution laws of the interval-valued fuzzy soft sets are then proved. Finally, a decision problem is analyzed by the interval-valued fuzzy soft set. Some numerical examples are employed to substantiate the conceptual arguments. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.