Insights into Game Theory
An Alternative Mathematical Experience

A fascinating introduction to the key concepts and ideas of game theory.

Ein-Ya Gura (Author), Michael Maschler (Author)

9780521874229, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 November 2008

252 pages, 87 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.2 cm, 0.54 kg

'There are well chosen question exercises after different sections and also review exercises at the end of each chapter. … The book is suitable for any one wanting to understand why game theory is so influential and relevant even to daily life activities … It has had and is still having a deep and long lasting influence in social sciences, operations research and computer science.' Mathematics Today

Few branches of mathematics have been more influential in the social sciences than game theory. In recent years, it has become an essential tool for all social scientists studying the strategic behaviour of competing individuals, firms and countries. However, the mathematical complexity of game theory is often very intimidating for students who have only a basic understanding of mathematics. Insights into Game Theory addresses this problem by providing students with an understanding of the key concepts and ideas of game theory without using formal mathematical notation. The authors use four very different topics (college admission, social justice and majority voting, coalitions and co-operative games, and a bankruptcy problem from the Talmud) to investigate four areas of game theory. The result is a fascinating introduction to the world of game theory and its increasingly important role in the social sciences.

Introduction
1. Mathematical matching
2. Social justice
3. The Shapley value in cooperative games
4. Analysis of a bankruptcy problem from the Talmud
Answers to the exercises
Index.

Subject Areas: Game theory [PBUD], Economics [KC]