Approximation of fuzzy numbers by trapezoidal fuzzy numbers preserving the expected interval

The problem to find the nearest trapezoidal approximation of a fuzzy number with respect to a well-known metric, which preserves the expected interval of the fuzzy number, is completely solved. The previously proposed approximation operators are improved so as to always obtain a trapezoidal fuzzy number. Properties of this new trapezoidal approximation operator are studied.