Table 4.

The rearranged hierarchical structure with various basic factors.

Judgment Scale	Meaning
1	Compare factor i with factor j, and it is of the same importance; thus Aij = 1.
3	Compare factor i with factor j, and i is slightly more important than j; thus Aij = 3.
5	Compare factor i with factor j, and i is clearly more important than j; thus Aij = 5.
7	Compare factor i with factor j, and i is strongly more important than j; thus Aij = 7.
9	Compare factor i with factor j, and i is extremely more important than j; thus Aij = 9.
2,4,6,8	The intermediate values of the two adjacent judgments mentioned above.
Note	The judgment scale follows the reciprocal relationship of Aji = 1 / Aij. When i = j, Aij = 1 (i, j = 1, 2…n).