This is a textbook for a course in the theory of games. It is intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in mathematics and other quantitative disciplines, e.g., statistics, operations research, etc. It treats the central topics in game theory and is meant to give students a basis from which they can go on to more advanced topics. The subject matter is approached in a mathematically rigorous way, but , within this constraint, an effort is made to keep it interesting and lively. New definitions and topics are motivated as thoroughly as possible. The mathematical prerequisites for understanding the book are modest: basic probability together with a little calculus and linear algebra.

Inhalt

1. Games in Extensive Form.- 1.1. Trees.- 1.2. Game Trees.- 1.3. Choice Functions and Strategies.- 1.4. Games with Chance Moves.- 1.5. Equilibrium N-tuples of Strategies.- 1.6. Normal Forms.- 2. Two-Person Zero-Sum Games.- 2.1. Saddle Points.- 2.2. Mixed Strategies.- 2.3. Small Games.- 2.4. Symmetric Games.- 3. Linear Programming.- 3.1. Primal and Dual Problems.- 3.2. Basic Forms and Pivots.- 3.3. The Simplex Algorithm.- 3.4. Avoiding Cycles and Achieving Feasibility.- 3.5. Duality.- 4. Solving Matrix Games.- 4.1. The Minimax Theorem.- 4.2. Some Examples.- 5. Non-Zero-Sum Games.- 5.1. Noncooperative Games.- 5.2. Solution Concepts for Noncooperative Games.- 5.3. Cooperative Games.- 6. N-Person Cooperative Games.- 6.1. Coalitions.- 6.2. Imputations.- 6.3. Strategic Equivalence.- 6.4. Two Solution Concepts.- 7. Game-Playing Programs.- 7.1. Three Algorithms.- 7.2. Evaluation Functions.- Appendix. Solutions.