Intensity of Importance

Definition

Explanation

1

Equal importance in a pair

Two criteria contribute equally to the objective

3

Moderate importance

Judgment and Experience slightly favor one criterion over another

5

Strong importance

Judgment and Experience strongly favor one criterion over another

7

Very strong importance

Judgment and Experience very strongly favor one criterion over another

9

Extreme importance

The evidence favoring one criterion over another is of highest possible validity

2, 4, 6, 8

Intermediate values

When compromise is needed

Reciprocals

Values for inverse comparison

If criterion i had one of the above numbers assigned to it when compared with criterion j , then j has the reciprocal value when compared with i