A study of universal algebras in fuzzy set theory

Abstract

This thesis attempts a synthesis of two important and fast developing branches of mathematics, namely universal algebra and fuzzy set theory. Given an abstract algebra [X,F] where X is a non-empty set and F is a set of finitary operations on X, a fuzzy algebra [I×,F] is constructed by extending operations on X to that on I×, the set of fuzzy subsets of X (I denotes the unit interval), using Zadeh's extension principle. Homomorphisms between fuzzy algebras are defined and discussed. Fuzzy subalgebras of an algebra are defined to be elements of a fuzzy algebra which respect the extended algebra operations under inclusion of fuzzy subsets. The family of fuzzy subalgebras of an algebra is an algebraic closure system in I×. Thus the set of fuzzy subalgebras is a complete lattice. A fuzzy equivalence relation on a set is defined and a partition of such a relation into a class of fuzzy subsets is derived. Using these ideas, fuzzy functions between sets, fuzzy congruence relations, and fuzzy homomorphisms are defined. The kernels of fuzzy homomorphisms are proved to be fuzzy congruence relations, paving the way for the fuzzy isomorphism theorem. Finally, we sketch some ideas on free fuzzy subalgebras and polynomial algebras. In a nutshell, we can say that this thesis treats the central ideas of universal algebras, namely subalgebras, homomorphisms, equivalence and congruence relations, isomorphism theorems and free algebra in the fuzzy set theory setting