The consistency index in reciprocal matrices: Comparison of deterministic and statistical approaches

When checking the inconsistency level of a positive reciprocal matrix Saaty uses a deterministic criterion based on two parameters, a benchmark (the average), and a consistency level, usually 10%. Using results from a simulation experiment with 100,000 positive random reciprocal matrices of size varying from 3 to 15, we developed a probabilistic criterion and compare it to Saaty’s index. We found that if a positive reciprocal matrix is consistent according to the deterministic criterion is also consistent according to the probabilistic criterion only if we accept a higher than usual probability of Type I error. Reducing this error implies that the benchmark must be a small percentile of the probability distribution of the consistency index.