Use of the Rough Set Theory concepts in the treatment of indiscernibility

Abstract

The Rough Set Theory was proposed by Pawlak, in 1982, as a mathematical model to represent knowledge and to treat uncertainty. The rough sets can be considered as sets with hazy frontiers, i.e., which can not be precisely characterized, using the available features. Rough set is a fundamental type of uncertainty, the indiscernibility. Indiscernibility arises when it is not possible to distinguish elements from the same set, and represents the situation in which these components seem to be only one element. The objective of this paper was the application of the theory’s main concepts to reduce the uncertainty in a database. The achieved results are satisfactory, which confirms that the rough set is a theory with a consistent mathematics of good theoretical basis and that can be used in the uncertainty treatment.