Insights into Game Theory An Alternative Mathematical Experience [Paperback]

A fascinating introduction to the key concepts and ideas of game theory.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 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.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.This beautiful textbook adds a new tool to the mathematical toolbox that is game theory: to be used in the treatment of a fear of mathematics. Starting with interesting real-life qul³g