Multiple attribute decision making method based on trapezoid fuzzy linguistic variables

The problem of multiple attribute decision making under fuzzy linguistic environments, in which decision makers can only provide their preferences (attribute values) in the form of trapezoid fuzzy linguistic variables, is studied. The formula of the degree of possibility between two TFLVs is defined, and some of its characteristics are studied. Based on the degree of possibility of fuzzy linguistic variables, an approach to ranking the decision alternatives in multiple attribute decision making with TFLV is developed. The trapezoid fuzzy linguistic weighted averaging (TFLWA) operator method is utilized to aggregate the decision information, and then all the alternatives are ranked by comparing the degree of possibility of 'M.N. The method can carry out linguistic computation processes easily without loss of linguistic information, and thus makes the decision results reasonable and effective. Finally, the implementation process of the proposed method is illustrated and analyzed by a practical example.