A generalized and unified approach to the approximation of fuzzy numbers and its arithmetic and characteristics

In this paper we propose a general method for the approximation of an arbitrary fuzzy number. This method, which is constructive, recovers and properly extends some well-known approximations such as those obtained in terms of polygonal fuzzy numbers or simple fuzzy numbers. We prove the convergence of the general method and study the properties of the approximation operator, such as its compatibility with arithmetic operations of fuzzy numbers and with some of their important characteristics. In addition to this, we illustrate the method with some particularly interesting cases by providing algorithms, of great simplicity for practical use and apply them to some numerical examples. Furthermore, the approximations we construct are particularly simple from the point of view of fuzzy arithmetic and preserve some of their most important characteristics.