Reachable solution set of a fuzzy relation equation (Q1073026)

The largest element of the solution set of a fuzzy relation equation has been found by \textit{E. Sanchez} [Inf. Control 30, 38-48 (1976; Zbl 0326.02048)] but the smallest element does not exist. It is difficult to expose the solution of the fuzzy relation equation. In the case of the determinate relation equations, complete consequences have been found by \textit{Wang Peizhuang} and \textit{Yuan Meng} [Sel. Pap. on fuzzy subsets, Beijing Normal Univ. 1980, 20-31 (1980; Zbl 0471.04001)]. In the case of the fuzzy relation equations, Wang and Yuan have given a class of special solutions which probably possess some minimality characterizations. In this paper, the reachable solution set of a fuzzy relation equation is given. For a fuzzy relation equation on finite sets, a neat and efficient method for solving it is given.