The Compleat Strategyst: Being a Primer on the Theory of Games of Strategy

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Courier Corporation, Jan 1, 1986 - Mathematics - 268 pages

When J. D. Williams wrote this entertaining, witty introduction for the nonscientist, Game Theory was still a somewhat mysterious subject familiar to very few scientists beyond those researchers, like himself, working for the military. Now, over thirty years after its original publication as a Rand Corporation research study, his light-hearted though thoroughly effective primer is the recognized classic introduction to an increasingly applicable discipline. Used by amateurs, professionals, and students throughout the world in the classroom, on the job, and for personal amusement, the book has been through ten printings, and has been translated into at least five languages (including Russian and Japanese).
Revised, updated, and available for the first time in an inexpensive paperback edition, The Compleat Strategyst is a highly entertaining text essential for anyone interested in this provocative and engaging area of modern mathematics. In fully illustrated chapters complete with everyday examples and word problems, Williams offers readers a working understanding of the possible methods for selecting strategies in a variety of situations, simple to complex. With just a basic understanding of arithmetic, anyone can grasp all necessary aspects of two-, three-, four-, and larger strategy games with two or more sets of inimical interests and a limitless array of zero-sum payoffs.
As research and study continues not only in this new discipline but in the related areas of statistics, probability and behavioral science, understanding of games, decision making, and the development of strategies will be increasingly important. In the areas of economics, sociology, politics, and the military, Game Theory is sure to have an even wider impact. For students and amateurs fascinated by Game Theory's implications there is no better, immediately applicable, or more entertaining introduction to the subject than this engaging text by the late J. D. Williams, Professor of Mathematics at Princeton University and a member of the Research Council of The Rand Corporation.

 

Contents

INTRODUCTION
1
TWOSTRATEGY GAMES
29
Mixed Strategies
36
Value of the Game
43
The River Tale
50
2 X m Games
65
Graphical Solution
71
Chance Devices
78
Summary of 3 X m Methods
127
FOURSTRATEGY GAMES
132
The Secondhand Car
146
For Older Children
152
The Colonel Blotto Problem
159
36
164
The Maze
165
MISCELLANY
180

30
82
THREESTRATEGY GAMES
86
3 X m Games
112
The Bass and the Professor
120
34
125
39
185
GENERAL METHOD
218
APPENDIX Table of Random Digits
253
INDEX
267
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