Vertex method for computing functions of fuzzy variables

This paper is to introduce a new approach — the vertex method — for computing functions of fuzzy variables. The method is based on the α-cut concept and interval analysis. The vertex method can avoid abnormality due to the discretization technique on the variables domain and the widening of the resulting function value set due to multi-occurrence of variables in the functional expression by conventional interval analysis methods. The algorithm is very easy to implement and can be applied to many practical problems. Some examples are given to illustrate the applications.