Abstract
Efficient reasoning for a complex fuzzy production rule-based system is a very important research issue and has many applications in unstructured environments with incomplete/imprecise information only. This paper presents a fuzzy reasoning Petri net (FRPN) model to represent a fuzzy production rule-based system. Based on the model, a formal reasoning algorithm using the operators in max-algebra is proposed to perform fuzzy reasoning automatically. The algorithm is consistent with the matrix equation expression method in the traditional Petri nets and allows one to exploit maximum parallel reasoning potential embedded in the model. Its legitimacy and feasibility are proved and validated through an example.