Next Article in Journal
Toward Self-Driving Bicycles Using State-of-the-Art Deep Reinforcement Learning Algorithms
Next Article in Special Issue
Generalized Neutrosophic Extended Triplet Group
Previous Article in Journal
On Central Complete and Incomplete Bell Polynomials I
Previous Article in Special Issue
Hybrid Weighted Arithmetic and Geometric Aggregation Operator of Neutrosophic Cubic Sets for MADM
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

A Generalized Approach towards Soft Expert Sets via Neutrosophic Cubic Sets with Applications in Games

by
Muhammad Gulistan
1 and
Nasruddin Hassan
2,*
1
Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Hazara University, Mansehra 21130, Pakistan
2
School of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Symmetry 2019, 11(2), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym11020289
Submission received: 28 January 2019 / Revised: 18 February 2019 / Accepted: 19 February 2019 / Published: 22 February 2019

Abstract

:
Games are considered to be the most attractive and healthy event between nations and peoples. Soft expert sets are helpful for capturing uncertain and vague information. By contrast, neutrosophic set is a tri-component logic set, thus it can deal with uncertain, indeterminate, and incompatible information where the indeterminacy is quantified explicitly and truth membership, indeterminacy membership, and falsity membership independent of each other. Subsequently, we develop a combined approach and extend this concept further to introduce the notion of the neutrosophic cubic soft expert sets (NCSESs) by using the concept of neutrosophic cubic soft sets, which is a powerful tool for handling uncertain information in many problems and especially in games. Then we define and analyze the properties of internal neutrosophic cubic soft expert sets (INCSESs) and external neutrosophic cubic soft expert sets (ENCSESs), P-order, P-union, P-intersection, P-AND, P-OR and R-order, R-union, R-intersection, R-AND, and R-OR of NCSESs. The NCSESs satisfy the laws of commutativity, associativity, De Morgan, distributivity, idempotentency, and absorption. We derive some conditions for P-union and P-intersection of two INCSESs to be an INCSES. It is shown that P-union and P-intersection of ENCSESs need not be an ENCSES. The R-union and R-intersection of the INCSESs (resp., ENCSESs) need not be an INCSES (resp. ENCSES). Necessary conditions for the P-union, R-union and R-intersection of two ENCSESs to be an ENCSES are obtained. We also study the conditions for R-intersection and P-intersection of two NCSESs to be an INCSES and ENCSES. Finally, for its applications in games, we use the developed procedure to analyze the cricket series between Pakistan and India. It is shown that the proposed method is suitable to be used for decision-making, and as good as or better when compared to existing models.

1. Introduction

Researchers always try to discover methods to handle imprecise and vague information, which is not possible using classical set theory. In this regard, Zadeh gave the concept of fuzzy set [1], to cope with uncertainty. However, fuzzy sets were considered imperfect since it is not always easy to give an exact degree of membership to any element. To overcome this problem, the interval-valued fuzzy set was proposed by Turksen [2]. Atanassov [3] extended the notion of fuzzy sets to intuitionistic fuzzy sets by introducing the non-membership of an element with its membership in a set X, which were proven to be a better tool than fuzzy sets. Furthermore, the intuitionistic fuzzy sets are used in many directions [4]. Smarandache gave the notion of neutrosophic sets as a generalization of intuitionistic fuzzy sets and fuzzy sets [5]. The idea of neutrosophic sets are further expanded to different directions [6,7,8,9] by various researchers. Jun et al. [10] gave the idea of cubic set and it was characterized by interval-valued fuzzy set and fuzzy set, which is a more general tool to capture uncertainty and vagueness, since fuzzy set deals with single-value membership while interval-valued fuzzy set ranges the membership in the form of intervals. The hybrid platform provided by cubic set has the main advantage since it contains more information than a fuzzy set and interval-valued fuzzy set. By using this concept, different problems arising in several areas can be solved by choosing the finest choice by means of cubic sets as in the works of Abughazalah and Yaqoob [11], Rashid et al. [12], Gulistan et al. [13], Ma et al. [14], Naveed at al. [15], Gulistan et al. [16], Khan et al. [17,18], Yaqoob et al. [19], and Aslam et al. [20].
More recently, Jun et al. [21] gave the idea of neutrosophic cubic set and it was subsequently used in many areas by Khan et al. [22] and Gulistan et al. [23,24].
On the other hand, Molodtsov [25] introduced the concept of soft sets that can be seen as a new mathematical theory for dealing with uncertainty. It was applied to many different fields by Maji et al. [26] who later defined fuzzy soft set theory and some properties of fuzzy soft sets [27]. Hybrids of soft sets were further developed [28,29,30,31,32].
Alkhazaleh and Salleh in 2011 defined the concept of soft expert set in which the user could know the opinion of all the experts in one model and gave an application of this concept in the decision-making problem [33]. Arokia et al. [34] studied fuzzy parameterizations for decision-making in risk management systems via soft expert set. Arokia and Arockiarani [35] provided a fusion of soft expert set and matrix models. Alkhazaleh and Salleh [36] extended the concept of soft expert set in terms of fuzzy set and provided its application. Bashir and Salleh [37] provided the concept of fuzzy parameterized soft expert set. Bashir et al. [38] discussed possibility fuzzy soft expert set. Alhazaymeh et al. [39] provided the application of generalized vague soft expert set in decision-making. Broumi and Smarandache [40] extended the soft expert sets in terms of intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Abu Qamar and Hassan [41,42] presented the idea of Q-neutrosophic soft relation and its entropy measures of distance and similarity. Sahin et al. [43] gave the idea of neutrosophic soft expert sets while Uluçay et al. [44], introduced the concept of generalized neutrosophic soft expert set for multiple-criteria decision-making. Neutrosophic vague soft expert set theory was put forward by Al-Quran and Hassan [45] and developed it further to complex neutrosophic soft expert set [46,47]. Qayyum et al. [48] gave the idea of cubic soft expert sets for a more general approach. Ziemba and Becker [49] presented analysis of the digital divide using fuzzy forecasting, which is a new approach in decision-making.
Hence it is natural to extend the concept of expert sets to neutrosophic cubic soft expert sets for a more generalized approach. The major contribution of this paper is the development of neutrosophic cubic soft expert sets(NCSESs) by using the concept of neutrosophic cubic soft sets which generalizes the concept of fuzzy soft expert sets, intuitionistic soft expert sets, and cubic soft expert sets. We define and analyze the properties of internal neutrosophic cubic soft expert sets (INCSESs) and external neutrosophic cubic soft expert sets (ENCSESs), P-order, P-union, P-intersection, P-AND, P-OR, and R-order, R-union, R-intersection, R-AND, and R-OR of NCSESs. The NCSESs satisfy the laws of commutativity, associativity, De Morgan, distributivity, idempotentency, and absorption. We derive some conditions for P-union and P-intersection of two INCSESs to be an INCSES. It is shown that P-union and P-intersection of ENCSESs need not be an ENCSES. The R-union and R-intersection of the INCSESs (resp., ENCSESs) need not be an INCSES (resp. ENCSES). Necessary conditions for the P-union, R-union, and R-intersection of two ENCSESs to be an ENCSES are obtained. We also study the conditions for R-intersection and P-intersection of two NCSESs to be an INCSES and ENCSES. This paper is organized as follows. Section 2 will be on preliminaries, while Section 3 develops an approach to neutrosophic cubic soft expert set. We focus on the basic operations, namely P-order, R-order, P-containment, R-containment, P-union, P-intersection, R-union, R-intersection, complement, P-AND, P-OR, R-AND, and R-OR of NCSESs. Section 4 will present more results on NCSESs, followed by Section 5 on application in analyzing a cricket series. A comparison analysis will be discussed in Section 6 and a conclusion is drawn in Section 7.

2. Preliminaries

Here we recall some of the basic material from the literature to develop the new theory. For simplicity, the symbol ( F S E , A ) stands for the soft expert set, N stands for the neutrosophic set, I N stands for the interval neutrosophic set and ( N C ) for the neutrosophic cubic sets.
In psychology, decision-making (also spelled decision-making) is regarded as the cognitive process resulting in the selection of a belief or a course of action among several alternative possibilities. Every decision-making process produces a final choice, which may or may not prompt action. Decision-making is the process of identifying and choosing alternatives based on the values, preferences, and beliefs of the decision-maker. Experts set is a technique used in decision-making problems, which is further extended to generalized forms, such as fuzzy experts set, intuitionistic fuzzy expert set, cubic expert sets, neutrosophic expert set and other hybrids. We begin by stating the definition of expert set.
Definition 1.
[33] Let U be a universe, E be a set of parameters, and X be a set of experts. Let O = { 0 = disagree, 1 = agree} be a set of two valued opinion, Z = E × X × O and A Z . A pair F S E , A is called a soft expert set over U, where F S E is a mapping given by F S E : A P ( U ) where P ( U ) denotes the power set of U.
Definition 2.
[33] Two soft expert sets F S E , A and G S E , B over U, F S E , A G S E , B if
H S E ( a ) = A B F S E ( a ) G S E ( a ) for all a A
and F S E , A = G S E , B if and only if F S E , A G S E , B as well as G S E , B F S E , A .
Definition 3.
[33] Let E be a set of parameters and X be a set of experts. The NOT set I ´ Z of Z = E × X × O is defined by
I ´ Z = { ( I ´ e i , x i , o k ) . I ´ e i E , x j X a n d o k O i , j , k }
Definition 4.
[33] The complement of a soft expert set F S E , A is denoted by F S E , A c = ( F S E c , I ´ A ) where F S E c : I ´ A P ( U ) is a mapping given by F S E c ( a ) = U F S E ( I ´ a ) , for all a I ´ A .
Definition 5.
[33] If Z = E × X × { 1 } in Definition 1 then F S E , A is called agree soft expert set over U and it is denoted by F S E , A 1 .
Definition 6.
[33] If Z = E × X × { 0 } in Definition 1 then F S E , A is called disagree soft expert set over U and it is denoted by F S E , A 0
Definition 7.
[33] The union of two soft expert sets F S E , A and G S E , B over U denoted by F S E , A G S E , B , is the soft expert set ( H S E , C ) where C = A B , and for all a C ,
H S E ( a ) = F S E ( a ) i f a A B G S E ( a ) i f a B A F S E ( a ) G S E ( a ) i f a A B .
Definition 8.
[33] The intersection of two soft expert sets F S E , A and G S E , B over U denoted by F S E , A G S E , B , is the soft expert set ( H S E , C ) where C = A B , and for all a C ,
H S E ( a ) = F S E ( a ) i f a A B G S E ( a ) i f a B A F S E ( a ) G S E ( a ) i f a A B .
Definition 9.
[33] If F S E , A and G S E , B are two soft expert sets over U then F S E , A AND G S E , B denoted by F S E , A ( G S E , B ) , is defined by
F S E , A ( G S E , B ) = ( H S E , A × B )
where H S E ( a , b ) = F S E ( a ) G S E ( b ) , for all ( a , b ) A × B .
Definition 10.
[33] If F S E , A and G S E , B are two soft expert sets then F S E , A OR ( G S E , B ) denoted by F S E , A ( G S E , B ) is defined by
F S E , A ( G S E , B ) = ( H S E , A × B )
where H S E ( a , b ) = F S E ( a ) G S E ( b ) , for all ( a , b ) A × B .
Definition 11.
[5] A neutrosophic set in X is the structure of the form
N : = x , T N ( x ) , I N ( x ) , F N ( x ) : x X
where T N , I N , F N : X [ 0 , 1 ] such that 0 T N ( x ) + I N ( x ) + F N ( x ) 3 .
Definition 12.
[8] An interval neutrosophic set in X is the structure of the form
I N : = x , T I N ( x ) , I I N ( x ) , F I N ( x ) : x X
where T N , I N , F N : X D [ 0 , 1 ] such that [ 0 , 0 ] T N ( x ) + I N ( x ) + F N ( x ) [ 3 , 3 ] .
Definition 13.
[21] A neutrosophic cubic set in X is a pair ( N C ) = ( I N , N ) where
I N : = x , T I N ( x ) , I I N ( x ) , F I N ( x ) : x X
is an interval neutrosophic set in X where T I N , I I N , F I N : X D [ 0 , 1 ] and
N : = x , T N ( x ) , I N ( x ) , F N ( x ) : x X
is a neutrosophic set in X where T N , I N , F N : X [ 0 , 1 ] .

3. Neutrosophic Cubic Soft Expert Set

In this section, we develop an approach to neutrosophic cubic soft expert set which is a more general approach for soft expert set theory. We focus on the basic operations namely, P-order, R-order, P-containment, R-containment, P-union, P-intersection, R-union, R-intersection, complement, P-AND, P-OR, R-AND, and R-OR of neutrosophic cubic soft expert sets. The symbol ( ( N C ) S E , E , X ) stands for the neutrosophic cubic soft expert set.
Definition 14.
Let U be a finite set containing n alternatives, E be a set of criteria, X be a set of experts. A triplet ( ( N C ) S E , E , X ) is called neutrosophic cubic soft expert set over U, if and only if ( N C ) S E : E × X N C P ( U ) is a mapping into the set of all neutrosophic cubic set in U and defined as
( ( N C ) S E , E , X ) = ( N C ) S E ( e , x ) = { u , I ( e , x ) N ( u ) , N ( e , x ) ( u ) , u U } , ( e , x ) E × X ,
where
I ( e , x ) N ( u ) = { ( u , T ˜ I N ( u ) , I ˜ I N ( u ) , F ˜ I N ( u ) ) } , N ( e , x ) ( x ) = { ( u , T N ( u ) , I N ( u ) , F N ( u ) } ,
such that
[ 0 , 0 ] T ˜ I N ( u ) + I ˜ I N ( u ) + F ˜ I N ( u ) [ 3 , 3 ] , 0 T N ( u ) + I N ( u ) + F N ( u ) 3 .
Example 1.
Let U = u 1 = I n d i a , u 2 = P a k i s t a n be the set of countries playing a cricket series, E = { e 1 = playing conditions, e 2 = historic record} be the set of factors affecting the series, X = x 1 , x 2 , x 3 be the set of experts giving their expert opinion. Let E × X = { ( e 1 , x 1 ) , ( e 1 , x 2 ) , ( e 2 , x 1 ) , ( e 2 , x 2 ) } . Then the neutrosophic cubic soft expert set ( ( N C ) S E , E , X ) is given by
( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 1 ) = u 1 , 0.5 , 0.6 , 0.2 , 0.3 , 0.1 , 0.2 , 0.1 , 0.4 , 0.5 , u 2 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.6 , ( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 2 ) = u 1 , 0.5 , 0.6 , 0.2 , 0.3 , 0.1 , 0.2 , 0.1 , 0.4 , 0.5 , u 2 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.6 , ( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 3 ) = u 1 , 0.5 , 0.6 , 0.2 , 0.3 , 0.1 , 0.2 , 0.4 , 0.3 , 0.5 , u 2 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.6 , ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 1 ) = u 1 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.6 , u 2 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.6 , ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 2 ) = u 1 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.6 , u 2 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.6 , ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 3 ) = u 1 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.6 , u 2 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.6 ,
The function of the form ( T ˜ I N ( u ) , T N ( u ) ) denotes the range of values where the experts are sure to give certain membership to a certain element, ( I ˜ I N ( u ) , I N ( u ) ) denotes the range of values where the experts are hesitant and ( F ˜ I N ( u ) , F N ( u ) ) denotes the range of values where the experts are sure to give negative points to a certain element as a non-membership. Thus, experts have a wide range of scale to make their conclusion as compared to the previous defined versions of fuzzy sets. More specific in the current example is the function of the form ( T ˜ I N ( u ) , T N ( u ) ) which gives the expert opinion for the past performance of these two countries, ( I ˜ I N ( u ) , I N ( u ) ) gives the expert opinion for running series between these two countries and ( F ˜ I N ( u ) , F N ( u ) ) gives the expert opinion for the upcoming series between these two countries which is not to be held in the near future.
Definition 15.
A neutrosophic cubic soft expert set
( ( N C ) S E , E , X ) = ( N C ) S E ( e , x ) = { u , I ( e , x ) N ( u ) , N ( e , x ) ( u ) , u U } , ( e , x ) E × X
over U is said to be:
(i) 
Internal truth neutrosophic cubic soft experts set (briefly, I T N C S E S s ) if for all u U , so that
T I N ( u ) T N ( u ) T I N + ( u ) , u U .
(ii) 
Internal indeterminacy neutrosophic cubic soft experts set (briefly, I I N C S E S s ) if for all u U , so that
I I N ( u ) I N ( u ) I I N + ( u ) , u U .
(iii) 
Internal falsity neutrosophic cubic soft experts set (briefly, I F N C S E S s ) if for all u U , so that
F I N ( u ) F N ( u ) F I N + ( u ) , u U .
If a neutrosophic cubic soft expert set ( ( N C ) S E , E , X ) in X , satisfies (i), (ii), (iii), then it is known as internal neutrosophic cubic soft expert set in X , abbreviated as ( I N C S E S s ).
Example 2.
Consider the Example 1. Then the internal neutrosophic cubic soft expert set is given by
( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 1 ) = u 1 , 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.2 , 0.5 , 0.1 , 0.5 , 0.5 , 0.4 , 0.3 , u 2 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.5 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.8 , 0.7 , 0.6 , 0.7 , ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 1 ) = u 1 , 0.5 , 0.7 , 0.2 , 0.4 , 0.1 , 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.3 , 0.2 , u 2 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.8 , 0.7 , 0.8 , 0.7 , ( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 2 ) = u 1 , 0.5 , 0.8 , 0.1 , 0.3 , 0.1 , 0.4 , 0.7 , 0.2 , 0.3 , u 2 , 0.5 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.8 , 0.4 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.7 , 0.6 , ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 2 ) = u 1 , 0.6 , 0.8 , 0.3 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.7 , 0.8 , u 2 , 0.3 , 0.9 , 0.7 , 0.9 , 0.6 , 0.8 , 0.6 , 0.8 , 0.7
Remark 1.
We can draw the following conclusion from Example 2;
(i) If the value of N ( e , x ) ( u ) lies in the interval I ( e , x ) N ( u ) , then it means that the respective team is going to maintain its progress in different time frames.
(ii) If the panel of experts consists of the internal panel (meaning that the experts are from the same country or same cricket board), then it is known as INCSESs.
Definition 16.
A neutrosophic cubic soft expert set
( ( N C ) S E , E , X ) = ( N C ) S E ( e , x ) = { u , I ( e , x ) N ( u ) , N ( e , x ) ( u ) , u U } , ( e , x ) E × X
over U is said to be:
(i) 
External truth neutrosophic cubic soft expert set (briefly, E T N C S E S s ) if for all u U , we have
T N ( u ) ( T I N ( u ) , T I N + ( u ) ) , u U
(ii) 
External indeterminacy neutrosophic cubic soft expert set (briefly, E I N C S E S s ) if for all u U , we have
I N ( x ) ( I I N ( x ) , I I N + ( x ) ) , u U
(iii) 
External falsity neutrosophic cubic soft expert set (briefly, E F N C S E S s ) if for all u U , we have
F N ( x ) ( F I N ( x ) , F I N + ( x ) ) , u U
If a neutrosophic cubic soft expert set ( ( N C ) S E , E , X ) over U , satisfies (i), (ii), (iii), then it is known as external neutrosophic cubic soft expert set in X , abbreviated as ( E N C S E S s ).
Example 3.
Let U be the set of countries playing a one-day international (ODI) triangular series provided in Example 1, then the external neutrosophic cubic soft expert set is given by;
( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 1 ) = u 1 , 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.2 , 0.5 , 0.1 , 0.5 , 0.3 , 0.1 , 0.7 , u 2 , 0.6 , 0.7 , 0.5 , 0.6 , 0.6 , 0.8 , 0.8 , 0.7 , 0.9 , ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 1 ) = u 1 , 0.5 , 0.7 , 0.2 , 0.4 , 0.1 , 0.4 , 0.8 , 0.5 , 0.6 , u 2 , 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.3 , 0.5 , 0.6 , 0.8 , 0.7 , 0.2 , 0.4 , ( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 2 ) = u 1 , 0.5 , 0.8 , 0.1 , 0.3 , 0.1 , 0.4 , 0.4 , 0.4 , 0.5 , u 2 , 0.1 , 0.3 , 0.6 , 0.8 , 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.6 , 0.5 , 0.3 , ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 2 ) = u 1 , 0.6 , 0.7 , 0.3 , 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.8 , 0.8 , 0.7 , 0.5 , u 2 , 0.3 , 0.5 , 0.7 , 0.8 , 0.6 , 0.7 , 0.6 , 0.5 , 0.8 ,
Remark 2.
We can draw the following conclusion from Example 3;
(i) If the value of N ( e , x ) ( u ) does not lie in the interval I ( e , x ) N ( u ) , then it means the respective team is not maintaining its progress in different time frames.
(ii) If the panel of experts consists of the external panel (meaning that the experts are not from the same country or same cricket board), then it is known as ENCSESs.
Our next discussion is to define some basic operations on neutrosophic cubic soft expert sets to get more insight of neutrosophic cubic soft expert sets.
Definition 17.
A N C S E S s ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) over U is said to be P-order contained in another N C S E S s ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) over U, denoted by ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) ,
if ( i ) E 1 E 2 ,
( i i ) X 1 X 2 ,
( i i i ) ( N C ) S 1 E ( e , x ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e , x ) for all e E 1 , x X 1 , where condition ( i i i ) implies that
I 1 ( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 1 ) N ( x ) I 2 ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 2 ) N ( x ) , N 1 ( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 1 ) ( x ) N 2 ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 2 ) ( x ) .
Definition 18.
A N C S E S s ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) over U is said to be R-order contained in another N C S E S ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) over U, denoted by ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) ,
if ( i ) E 1 E 2 ,
( i i ) X 1 X 2 ,
( i i i ) ( N C ) S 1 E ( e , x ) R ( N C ) S 2 E ( e , x ) for all e E 1 , x X 1 ,
where condition ( i i i ) implies that
I 1 ( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 1 ) N ( x ) I 2 ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 2 ) N ( x ) , N 1 ( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 1 ) ( x ) N 2 ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 2 ) ( x ) .
Definition 19.
Two N C S E S s ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) over U is said to be equal which is denoted by ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) = ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) ,
if ( i ) A = B ,
( i i ) X 1 = X 2 ,
( i i i ) ( N C ) S 1 E ( e ) = ( N C ) S 2 E ( e ) for all e E = A = B , x X = X 1 = X 2 ,
where condition ( i i i ) implies that
I 1 ( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 1 ) N ( x ) = I 2 ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 2 ) N ( x ) , N 1 ( N C ) S E ( e 1 , x 1 ) ( x ) = N 2 ( N C ) S E ( e 2 , x 2 ) ( x ) .
Remark 3.
(a) We observe from Definitions 17–19, that for any two N C S E S s ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) over U;
(i) If ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) P ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) ,
then ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) = ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) ,
(ii) If ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) R ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) ,
then ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) = ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) .
(b) Using Definitions 17–19, one can easily compare the performance of two cricket teams in different time frames.
Definition 20.
Let ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) be two N C S E S s in U .
Then we define (i) ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) , where E 3 = E 1 E 2 , X 3 = X 1 X 2
( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) i f e i E 1 E 2 ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) i f e i E 2 E 1 ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) i f e i E 1 E 2
where
( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) = u , I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) : u U = { u , T ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , F ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , T N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) , I N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) I N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) , F N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) F N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) }
(ii) ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) , where E 3 = E 1 E 2 , X 3 = X 1 X 2
( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) i f e i E 1 E 2
where
( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) = u , I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) : u U = { u , T ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , F ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) , I N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) I N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) , F N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) F N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) }
(iii) ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) , where E 3 = E 1 E 2 , X 3 = X 1 X 2 ,
( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) i f e i E 1 E 2 ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) i f e i E 2 E 1 ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) R ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) i f e i E 1 E 2
where
( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) R ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) = u , I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) : u U = { u , T ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , F ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) , I N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) I N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) , F N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) F N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u )
(iv) ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) , where E 3 = E 1 E 2 , X 3 = X 1 X 2 ,
( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) R ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) i f e i E 1 E 2
where
( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) R ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) = u , I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) : u U = { u , T ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , F ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) , I N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) I N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) , F N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) F N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) }
(v) The complement of a neutrosophic cubic soft expert set ( ( N C ) S E , E , X ) denoted by
( ( N C ) S E , E , X ) c = { ( N C ) S E c ( e i ) = { u , 1 ˜ I ( N C ) S E ( e i ) N ( u ) , 1 N ( N C ) S E ( e i ) ( u ) , u U } , e i A } .
Proposition 1.
Let ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) , ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) , ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) , ( ( N C ) S 4 E , E 4 , X 4 ) be N C S E S s in U . Then
(i) 
If ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) and ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) P ( ( N C ) S 4 E , E 4 , X 4 )
then ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 4 E , E 4 , X 4 ) .
(ii) 
If ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 )
then ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) c P ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) c .
(iii) 
If ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) and ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 4 E , E 4 , X 4 )
then ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) P ( ( N C ) S 4 E , E 4 , X 4 ) .
(iv) 
If ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) and ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 )
then ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) .
(v) 
If ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) and ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) P ( ( N C ) S 4 E , E 4 , X 4 )
then ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) P ( ( N C ) S 4 E , E 4 , X 4 ) , ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) P ( ( N C ) S 4 E , E 4 , X 4 ) .
Proof. 
The proof is straightforward.  □
Theorem 1.
For any two N C S E S s ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) over U the following properties hold:
(i) 
Idempotent law: ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) = ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) , ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) = ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) .
(ii) 
Commutative law: ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) P ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) , ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) P ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) .
(iii) 
Associative law: ( ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) ) P ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) = ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) P ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) ) , ( ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) ) P ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) = ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) P ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) ) .
(iv) 
Distributive and De Morgan’s laws also true.
(v) 
Involution law: ( ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) c ) c = ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) .
Proposition 2.
For any two N C S E S s ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) over U the following properties are equivalent:
(i) 
( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) ,
(ii) 
( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) ,
(iii) 
( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) .
Proof. 
( i ) ( i i ) By Definition 20, we have
( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 P ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 = ( ( N C ) S 1 E P ( N C ) S 2 E , A B ) = ( ( N C ) S 1 E P ( N C ) S 2 E , A )
as A B by hypothesis. Now for any e E 1 , since ( N C ) S 1 E ( e ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e ) , using Definition 17, implies that I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) and N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) for any u U , where ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) = { u , I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) u U } . Since I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) and I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) . Thus
inf { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } = [ inf { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } , inf { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) } ] = [ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) ]
and inf { N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) } = N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) . So It is ok.
( N C ) S 1 E ( e ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e ) = { u , inf { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } , inf { N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) : u U } = { u , I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) : u U } = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e )
Hence ( N C ) S 1 E ( e ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e ) = ( N C ) S E ( e ) .   □
(ii)⇒(iii) By Definition 20, we have
( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 P ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 = ( ( N C ) S 1 E P ( N C ) S 2 E , A B ) = ( ( N C ) S 1 E P ( N C ) S 2 E , A )
as A A = A and ( N C ) S 2 E ( N C ) S 2 E = ( N C ) S 2 E , by hypothesis. Now for any e E 1 , since ( N C ) S 1 E ( e ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e ) = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e ) , by Definition 20, we have
inf { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } = I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) and inf { N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) } = N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u )
this implies that
sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } = I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) and sup { N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i 1 ) ( u ) } = N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u )
Thus, we have
( N C ) S 1 E ( e ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e ) = { u , sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } , sup { N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) : u U } = { u , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) : u U } = ( N C ) S 2 E ( e ) .
Hence ( N C ) S 1 E ( e ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e ) = ( N C ) S 2 E ( e ) .
(iii)⇒(i) By hypothesis we have
( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 P ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 = ( ( N C ) S 1 E P ( N C ) S 2 E , A B ) = ( ( N C ) S 1 E P ( N C ) S 2 E , A )
as A A = A and ( N C ) S 2 E ( N C ) S 2 E = ( N C ) S 2 E A A and ( N C ) S 2 E ( N C ) S 2 E . Also
( N C ) S 1 E ( e ) P ( N C ) S 2 E ( e ) = { u , sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } , sup { N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) : u U } = { u , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) : u U } = ( N C ) S 2 E ( e )
this implies that I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) and N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) for any u U .
Hence ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) .
Corollary 1.
If we take X 1 = X 2 = X in the Proposition 2, then the following are equivalent:
(i) 
( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X ) ,
(ii) 
( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X ) = ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X ) ,
(iii) 
( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X ) P ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X ) = ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X ) .
Proof. 
The proof is straightforward.  □

4. More on NCSESs

In this section, we discuss different types of union and intersection of the NCSESs and their related conditions.
1. The following example shows thatR-Union of two I N C S E S s inUneed not be I N C S E S s in U .
Example 4.
Let ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) be two I N C S E S s in U , where
( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 = { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.1 , 0.2 ] , [ 0.4 , 0.5 ] , [ 0.5 , 0.6 ] ) , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) = ( 0.2 , 0.3 , 0.4 ) }
and
( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 = { I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.3 , 0.4 ] , [ 0.3 , 0.5 ] , [ 0.5 , 0.7 ] ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) = ( 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.3 ) } .
Now by Definition 20, we have ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 )
( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 = { I ( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.3 , 0.4 ] , [ 0.4 , 0.5 ] , [ 0.5 , 0.7 ] , N ( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) = ( 0.2 , 0.3 , 0.4 ) }
As 0.2 [ 0.4 , 0.5 ] , 0.3 [ 0.4 , 0.5 ] and 0.4 [ 0.5 , 0.7 ] .
Hence ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) is not a I N C S E S in U.
The following theorem gives the condition under which R-union of two I N C S E S s in U is also a I N C S E S in U.
Theorem 2.
Let ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) be two I N C S E S s in U ,
where ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e , x ) = { u , I 1 ( e , x ) N ( u ) , N 1 ( e , x ) ( u ) , u U } , ( e , x ) E 1 × X 1
and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( N C ) S 2 E ( f , y ) = { u , I 2 ( f , y ) N ( u ) , N 2 ( f , y ) ( u ) , u U } , ( f , y ) E 2 × X 2
such that
sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u )
for all u U and ( g , z ) ( E 1 E 2 × X 1 X 2 ) . Then ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) is I N C S E S s in U.
Proof. 
By Definition 20, we know ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) , where E 3 = E 1 E 2 , X 3 = X 1 X 2 ,
( N C ) S 3 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) if ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 1 × X 1 E 2 × X 2 ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) if ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 2 × X 2 E 1 × X 1 ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) R ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) if ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 1 × E 2 X 1 × X 2
where
( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) R ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) = u , I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) : u U = { u , T ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) , I ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) I ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) , F ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) , I N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) I N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) , F N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) F N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u )
If ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 1 × X 1 E 2 × X 2 or if ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 2 × X 2 E 1 × X 1 then the result is trivial. If ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 1 E 2 × X 1 X 2 , then ( N C ) S 3 E e 3 , x 3 = u , I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) : u U .   □
Since ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) are I N C S E S s in U. So I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N + ( u ) and I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N + ( u ) . Also
I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N + ( u )
for all u U and ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 2 E 2 , X 1 X 2 . Hence ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) is I N C S E S s in U.
2. The following example yields thatR-intersection of two I N C S E S s need not be a I N C S E S s .
Example 5.
Let ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) be two I N C S E S s in U , where
( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 = { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.1 , 0.2 ] , [ 0.3 , 0.5 ] , [ 0.3 , 0.6 ] ) , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) = ( 0.2 , 0.3 , 0.4 ) }
and
( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 = { I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.2 , 0.6 ] , [ 0.3 , 0.6 ] , [ 0.5 , 0.7 ] ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) = ( 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.5 ) } .
Now by Definition 20, we have ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 )
( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = { I ( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.1 , 0.2 ] , [ 0.3 , 0.5 ] , [ 0.5 , 0.7 ] , N ( N C ) S E 3 ( e i ) = ( 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.4 ) } .
As 0.4 [ 0.1 , 0.2 ] , 0.6 [ 0.3 , 0.5 ] and 0.4 [ 0.5 , 0.7 ] .
Hence ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) is not a I N C S E S in U.
The following theorem gives the condition that R-intersection of two I N C S E S s is to be a I N C S E S .
Theorem 3.
Let ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) be two I N C S E S s in U ,
where ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e , x ) = { u , I 1 ( e , x ) N ( u ) , N 1 ( e , x ) ( u ) , u U } , ( e , x ) E 1 × X 1 and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( N C ) S 2 E ( f , y ) = { u , I 2 ( f , y ) N ( u ) , N 2 ( f , y ) ( u ) , u U } , ( f , y ) E 2 × X 2 such that
inf { I ( N C ) S E ( e i ) N + ( x ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) } N ( N C ) S E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u )
for all u U and ( g , z ) ( E 1 E 2 × X 1 X 2 ) . Then ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) is a I N C S E S in U.
Proof. 
Similar to the proof of the Theorem 2.  □
3. The following example yields thatR-union of two E N C S E S s need not be an E N C S E S s .
Example 6.
Let ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) be two E N C S E S s in U , where
( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 = { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.3 , 0.4 ] , [ 0.4 , 0.7 ] , [ 0.3 , 0.6 ] ) , N ( N C ) S E ( e i ) = ( 0.5 , 0.3 , 0.7 ) }
and
( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 = { I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.2 , 0.6 ] , [ 0.3 , 0.5 ] , [ 0.5 , 0.6 ] ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) = ( 0.1 , 0.2 , 0.4 ) } .
Now by Definition 20, we have ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 )
( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 = { I ( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.3 , 0.6 ] , [ 0.4 , 0.7 ] , [ 0.5 , 0.6 ] , N ( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) = ( 0.1 , 0.2 , 0.7 ) } .
As 0.1 [ 0.3 , 0.6 ] , 0.2 [ 0.4 , 0.7 ] and 0.7 [ 0.5 , 0.6 ] .
Hence R-union is not a E N C S E S s in U.
The following theorem gives the condition that R-union of two E N C S E S s to be a E N C S E S s .
Theorem 4.
Let ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) be two E N C S E S s in U ,
where ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e , x ) = { u , I 1 ( e , x ) N ( u ) , N 1 ( e , x ) ( u ) , u U } , ( e , x ) E 1 × X 1 and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( N C ) S 2 E ( f , y ) = { u , I 2 ( f , y ) N ( u ) , N 2 ( f , y ) ( u ) , u U } , ( f , y ) E 2 × X 2 such that
{ inf { sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } , sup I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) } } < N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) { sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } , sup I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) } } ,
for all u U and ( g , z ) ( E 1 E 2 × X 1 X 2 ) . Then ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) is a E N C S E S in U.
Proof. 
By Definition 20, we know ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) , where E 3 = E 1 E 2 , X 3 = X 1 X 2 ,
( N C ) S 3 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) = ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) if ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 1 × X 1 E 2 × X 2 ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) if ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 2 × X 2 E 1 × X 1 ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) R ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) if ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 1 × E 2 X 1 × X 2
where
( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) R ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) = u , I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) : u U = { u , T ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) , I ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) I ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) , F ˜ I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) T ˜ I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) N ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) T N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) , I N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) I N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) , F N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u ) F N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e 3 , x 3 ) ( u )
If ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 1 E 2 × X 1 X 2 , take
h = { inf { sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } , sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) } }
and
k = { sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } , sup I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) } }
Then h is one of
I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) .
If we choose h = I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) or I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) , then
I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u )
and so k = I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) . Thus
sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } = I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) = h > N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) . .
Hence
N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) ( sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } , sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) } ) . .
Now if h = I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) then I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) and so sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } . Assume k = I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , then we have
I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) < N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) < I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) .
So, we can write
I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) < N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) = I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) .
For the case
I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) < N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) = I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u )
which contradicted the fact that ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) be two E N C S E S s in U. For the case
I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) = N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) < I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u )
we have
N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) ( sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } ) = I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) = N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) .
Again, assume that k = I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , then we have
I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) < N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) < I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u )
or
I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) = N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) < I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) .
For the case
I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) < N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) < I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u )
which contradict ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) be two E N C S E S s in U. For the case
I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) = N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) < I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u )
we have
N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) { ( ( sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } ) , ( sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N + ( u ) } ) }
because
( ( sup { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N ( u ) , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) } ) = , I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N ( u ) = N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) ( u ) N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) ( u ) .
If e i = ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 1 × X 1 E 2 × X 2 or if e i = ( e 3 , x 3 ) E 2 × X 2 E 1 × X 1 then the result is trivial. Hence ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) is a E N C S E S in U .
4. The following example shows thatR-intersection of two E N C S E S s need not be E N C S E S s .
Example 7.
Let ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) and ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) be two E N C S E S s in U , where
( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 = { I ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.3 , 0.4 ] , [ 0.4 , 0.7 ] , [ 0.5 , 0.6 ] ) , N ( N C ) S 1 E ( e i ) = ( 0.2 , 0.3 , 0.4 ) }
and
( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 = { I ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.2 , 0.3 ] , [ 0.3 , 0.5 ] , [ 0.6 , 0.7 ] ) , N ( N C ) S 2 E ( e i ) = ( 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.5 ) } .
Now by Definition 20, we have ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E 2 , X 2 ) = ( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 )
( ( N C ) S 3 E , E 3 , X 3 ) = { I ( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) N = ( [ 0.2 , 0.3 ] , [ 0.3 , 0.5 ] , [ 0.6 , 0.7 ] , N ( N C ) S 3 E ( e i ) = ( 0.4 , 0.6 , 0.4 ) } .
As 0.4 [ 0.2 , 0.3 ] , 0.6 [ 0.3 , 0.5 ] and 0.4 [ 0.6 , 0.7 ] . Hence ( ( N C ) S 1 E , E 1 , X 1 ) R ( ( N C ) S 2 E , E