Fuzzy information is organized by partitioning the fuzzy interval [0, 1] into layers of ''fuzzy strata''. At each level fuzzy information is approximated by a fuzzy dart; information at all levels is combined and recorded as an n-tuple of fuzzy darts. From this perspective, fuzzy numbers with ''continuous boundaries'' are approximated by P-n-fuzzy numbers. Then, within the framework of fuzzy level sets, the problem of comparing P-n-fuzzy numbers is addressed. For applications, differentiably smooth fuzzy maps which are either ''expansive'' or ''contractive'' are characterized by their derivatives. Finally, anti-fuzzy numbers are introduced and discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.