Fuzzy in 3-D: Contrasting complex fuzzy sets with type-2 fuzzy sets

Complex fuzzy sets come in two forms, the standard form, postulated in 2002 by Ramot et al., and the 2011 innovation of pure complex fuzzy sets, proposed by Tamir et al.. In this paper we compare and contrast both forms of complex fuzzy set with type-2 fuzzy sets, as regards their rationales, applications, definitions, and structures. In addition, pure complex fuzzy sets are compared with type-2 fuzzy sets in relation to their inferencing operations. Complex fuzzy sets and type-2 fuzzy sets differ in their roles and applications. Their definitions differ also, though there is equivalence between those of a pure complex fuzzy set and a type-2 fuzzy set. Structural similarity is evident between these three-dimensional sets. Complex fuzzy sets are represented by a line, and type-2 fuzzy sets by a surface, but a surface is simply a generalisation of a line. This similarity is particularly evident between pure complex fuzzy sets and type-2 fuzzy sets, which are both mappings from the domain onto the unit square. Type-2 fuzzy sets were found not to be isomorphic to pure complex fuzzy sets.