An Introduction to Game-Theoretic Modelling
Michael Mesterton-Gibbons
Price
1700
ISBN
9780821891865
Language
English
Pages
392
Format
Paperback
Dimensions
140 x 216 mm
Year of Publishing
2012
Territorial Rights
Restricted
Imprint
American Mathematical Society
Catalogues

This book is about using game theory in mathematical modelling. It is an introductory text, covering the basic ideas and methods of game theory as well as the necessary ideas from the vast spectrum of scientific study where the methods are applied.

It has by now become generally apparent that game theory is a fascinating branch of mathematics with both serious and recreational applications. Strategic behavior arises whenever the outcome of an individual''s action depends on actions to be taken by other individuals--whether human, as in the Prisoners'' Dilemma, or otherwise, as in the "duels of damselflies". As a result, game-theoretic mathematical models are applicable in both the social and natural sciences. In reading this book, you can learn not just about game theory, but also about how to model real situations so that they can be analyzed mathematically.

Mesterton-Gibbons includes the familiar game theory examples where they are needed for explaining the mathematics or when they provide a valuable application. There are also plenty of new examples, in particular from biology, such as competitions for territory or mates, games among kin versus games between kin, and cooperative wildlife management. Prerequisites are modest. Students should have some mathematical maturity and a familiarity with basic calculus, matrix algebra, probability, and some differential equations. As Mesterton-Gibbons writes, "The recurring theme is that game theory is fun to learn, doesn''t require a large amount of mathematical rigor, and has great potential for application." This new edition contains a significant amount of updates and new material, particularly on biological games. An important chapter on population games now has virtually all new material. The book is absolutely up-to-date with numerous references to the literature. Each chapter ends with a commentary which surveys current developments.

Mike Mesterton-Gibbons, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Noncooperative games
  • Evolutionary stability and other selection criteria
  • Cooperative games in strategic form
  • Characteristic function games
  • Cooperation and the prisoner's dilemma
  • More population games
  • Appraisal
  • The tracing procedure
  • Solutions to selected exercises
  • Bibliography
  • Index
Follow us on

Copyright © Orient BlackSwan. All rights reserved.