Binary relations coming from solutions of functional equations: orderings and fuzzy subsets

Abstract

We analyze the main properties of binary relations, defined on a nonempty set, that arise in a natural way when dealing with real-valued functions that satisfy certain classical functional equations on two variables. We also consider the converse setting, namely, given binary relations that accomplish some typical properties, we study whether or not they come from solutions of some functional equation. Applications to the numerical representability theory of ordered structures are also furnished as a by-product. Further interpretations of this approach as well as possible generalizations to the fuzzy setting are also commented. In particular, we discuss how the values taken for bivariate functions that are bounded solutions of some classical functional equations define, in a natural way, fuzzy binary relations on a set.