Table 1.

Scale of importance

Intensity of importance	Definition	Explanation
1	Similar importance (SI)	Both attributes $j$ and $g$ contribute equally
3	Moderate importance (MI)	Experience and judgment slightly favor $j$ over $g$
5	Intense importance (II)	Experience and judgment strongly favor $j$ over $g$
7	Demonstrated importance (DI)	$j$ is favored very strongly over $g$; its dominance is demonstrated in practice
9	Extreme importance (EI)	The evidence favoring $j$ over $g$ is of the highest possible order of affirmation
2,4,6,8 Reciprocal of above	Intermediate values	Reciprocal value