Game Theory

Game Theory: A Very Short Introduction

Language & Reference, Popular Science, Non-Fiction
Paperback Published on: 25/10/2007
In stock
Usually dispatched within 1-2 working days
Make and edit your lists in your account
Check click & collect stock near you
Collect today: Pay in shop

Synopsis

Games are everywhere: Drivers manoeuvring in heavy traffic are playing a driving game. Bargain hunters bidding on eBay are playing an auctioning game. A firm negotiating next year's wage is playing a bargaining game. The opposing candidates in an election are playing a political game. The supermarket's price for corn flakes is decided by playing an economic game.

Game theory is about how to play such games in a rational way. Even when the players have not thought everything out in advance, game theory often works for the same reason that mindless animals sometimes end up behaving very cleverly: evolutionary forces eliminate irrational play because it is unfit.

Game theory has seen spectacular successes in evolutionary biology and economics, and is beginning to revolutionize other disciplines from psychology to political science. This Very Short Introduction introduces the fascinating world of game theory, showing how it can be understood without mathematical equations, and revealing that everything from how to play poker optimally to the sex ratio among bees can be understood by anyone willing to think seriously about the problem.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

  • Publisher: Oxford University Press
  • ISBN: 9780199218462
  • Number of pages: 208
  • Weight: 151g
  • Dimensions: 175 x 110 x 10 mm

Customer Reviews

View all
Game Theory
A Poor Effort
Explains each point very briefly and takes a long time to ' get into ' .
C Penny
Game Theory
Useful but not basic
I bought this to assist with an MBA assignment and whilst it was better than most of my textbooks (very few of which go into game theory in any detail) it ... READ MORE
Helen Greig