Lecture 2 – Fuzzy Logic Cheat Sheet
α-cut (Alpha-cut)
Definition: A crisp set of all elements in a fuzzy set with membership ≥ α. Strong α-cut uses > α.
Analogy: Like setting a grade threshold in an exam – e.g., all students scoring ≥ 50% are ‘pass’.
Support
Definition: The support of a fuzzy set is the set of all elements with membership > 0.
Analogy: Like the entire fan base of a football team – even casual fans count.
Normality
Definition: A fuzzy set is normal if at least one element has membership = 1. Otherwise it is
subnormal.
Analogy: Like a thermometer – if it reaches the max (100%), it’s normal; otherwise it’s subnormal.
Convexity
Definition: A fuzzy set is convex if between any two points, membership is at least the minimum of
endpoints.
Analogy: Like a smooth hill – no dips in the middle. Non-convex sets are like valleys.
Basic Operations
Complement: NOT A = 1 – µA(x). Intersection: A ∩ B = min(µA, µB) or product. Union: A ∪ B =
max(µA, µB).
Analogy: Complement = flipping yes to no. Intersection = both must agree. Union = either one
qualifies.
Fuzzy Complement
Definition: A function mapping a fuzzy set A to its complement ■, satisfying boundary, monotonicity,
continuity, and involution.
Analogy: Like a photo negative – black becomes white, but shades of gray invert smoothly.
t-norm (Triangular Norm)
Definition: Defines fuzzy AND (intersection). Must satisfy boundary, monotonicity, commutativity,
associativity. Examples: min, product, bounded difference, drastic product.
Analogy: Like teamwork – the result is limited by the weaker member (min) or multiplied effort
(product).
t-conorm (Triangular Conorm / s-norm)
Definition: Defines fuzzy OR (union). Must satisfy similar axioms. Examples: max, probabilistic sum,
bounded sum, drastic sum.
Analogy: Like job applications – you qualify if either grades OR experience is strong. Max takes the
strongest, probabilistic sum combines contributions.
Duality
Definition: Every t-conorm has a dual t-norm (e.g., max ↔ min, product ↔ probabilistic sum).
Analogy: Like yin and yang – one strict (AND), one lenient (OR).
Linguistic Variables
Definition: A variable whose values are words (linguistic terms) like {short, medium, tall}, each
represented by a fuzzy set.
Analogy: Like coffee cup sizes – small, medium, large – words that map to fuzzy ranges of actual
volume.
Lecture 2 Revision Cheat Sheet – Fuzzy Logic
