Approximations of fuzzy numbers by trapezoidal fuzzy numbers preserving the ambiguity and value

Value and ambiguity are two parameters which were introduced to represent fuzzy numbers. In this paper, we find the nearest trapezoidal approximation and the nearest symmetric trapezoidal approximation to a given fuzzy number, with respect to the average Euclidean distance, preserving the value and ambiguity. To avoid the laborious calculus associated with the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker theorem, the working tool in some recent papers, a less sophisticated method is proposed. Algorithms for computing the approximations, many examples, proofs of continuity and two applications to ranking of fuzzy numbers and estimations of the defect of additivity for approximations are given.