Papers

Inconsistency and rank preservation

Author(s)
Thomas Saaty
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
University of Pittsburgh
United States
Luis Vargas
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
University of Pittsburgh
United States

Publication date: Jun, 1984

Journal: Journal of Mathematical Psychology
Vol.: 28- Issue: 2- Pages: 205-214

Abstract: Conditions for rank preservation in a positive reciprocal matrix that is inconsistent are provided. Three methods of deriving ratio estimates are examined: the eigenvalue, the logarithmic least squares, and the least squares methods. It is shown that only the principal eigenvector directly deals with the question of inconsistency and captures the rank order inherent in the inconsistent data.

Keywords: Rank preservation, Eigenvalue, Least squares, Principal eigenvector

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-2496(84)90027-0