Game Theory: An Introduction(Wiley Series in Operations Research and Management Science)

An exciting new edition of the popular introduction to game theory and its applications The thoroughly expanded Second Edition presents a unique, hands-on approach to game theory. While most books on the subject are too abstract or too basic for mathematicians, Game Theory: An Introduction, Second Edition offers a blend of theory and applications, allowing readers to use theory and software to create and analyze real-world decision-making models. With a rigorous, yet accessible, treatment of mathematics, the book focuses on results that can be used to determine optimal game strategies. Game Theory: An Introduction, Second Edition demonstrates how to use modern software, such as Maple™, Mathematica®, and Gambit, to create, analyze, and implement effective decision-making models. Coverage includes the main aspects of game theory including the fundamentals of two-person zero-sum games, cooperative games, and population games as well as a large number of examples from various fields, such as economics, transportation, warfare, asset distribution, political science, and biology. The Second Edition features: • A new chapter on extensive games, which greatly expands the implementation of available models • New sections on correlated equilibria and exact formulas for three-player cooperative games • Many updated topics including threats in bargaining games and evolutionary stable strategies • Solutions and methods used to solve all odd-numbered problems • A companion website containing the related Maple and Mathematica data sets and code A trusted and proven guide for students of mathematics and economics, Game Theory: An Introduction, Second Edition is also an excellent resource for researchers and practitioners in economics, finance, engineering, operations research, statistics, and computer science.

Table of Contents:
Preface for the Second Edition xi Preface for the First Edition xv Acknowledgments xvii Introduction 1 1 Matrix Two-Person Games 5 1.1 The Basics 5 Problems 16 1.2 The von Neumann Minimax Theorem 18 1.2.1 Proof of von Neumann’s Minimax Theorem (Optional) 21 Problems 24 1.3 Mixed Strategies 25 1.3.1 Properties of Optimal Strategies 35 1.3.2 Dominated Strategies 38 1.4 Solving 2 × 2 Games Graphically 41 Problems 43 1.5 Graphical Solution of 2 × m and n × 2 Games 44 Problems 50 1.6 Best Response Strategies 53 Problems 57 1.6.1 MapleTM/Mathematica R 58 Bibliographic Notes 59 2 Solution Methods for Matrix Games 60 2.1 Solution of Some Special Games 60 2.1.1 2 × 2 Games Revisited 60 Problems 64 2.2 Invertible Matrix Games 65 2.2.1 Completely Mixed Games 68 Problems 74 2.3 Symmetric Games 76 Problems 81 2.4 Matrix Games and Linear Programming 82 2.4.1 Setting Up the Linear Program: Method 1 83 2.4.2 A Direct Formulation Without Transforming: Method 2 89 Problems 94 2.5 Appendix: Linear Programming and the Simplex Method 98 2.5.1 The Simplex Method Step by Step 101 Problems 108 2.6 Review Problems 108 2.7 Maple/Mathematica 109 2.7.1 Invertible Matrices 109 2.7.2 Linear Programming: Method 1 110 2.7.3 Linear Programming: Method 2 111 Bibliographic Notes 113 3 Two-Person Nonzero Sum Games 115 3.1 The Basics 115 Problems 123 3.2 2 × 2 Bimatrix Games, Best Response, Equality of Payoffs 125 3.2.1 Calculation of the Rational Reaction Sets for 2 × 2 Games 125 Problems 132 3.3 Interior Mixed Nash Points by Calculus 135 3.3.1 Calculus Method for Interior Nash 135 Problems 143 3.3.2 Proof that There is a Nash Equilibrium for Bimatrix Games (Optional) 146 3.4 Nonlinear Programming Method for Nonzero Sum Two-Person Games 148 3.4.1 Summary of Methods for Finding Mixed Nash Equilibria 156 Problems 158 3.5 Correlated Equilibria 159 3.5.1 LP Problem for a Correlated Equilibrium 165 Problems 166 3.6 Choosing Among Several Nash Equilibria (Optional) 167 Problems 172 3.6.1 Maple/Mathematica 173 3.6.2 Mathematica for Lemke–Howson Algorithm 173 Bibliographic Notes 175 4 Games in Extensive Form: Sequential Decision Making 176 4.1 Introduction to Game Trees—Gambit 176 Problems 189 4.2 Backward Induction and Subgame Perfect Equilibrium 190 Problems 193 4.2.1 Subgame Perfect Equilibrium 194 4.2.2 Examples of Extensive Games Using Gambit 200 Problems 209 Bibliographic Notes 212 5 n-Person Nonzero Sum Games and Games with a Continuum of Strategies 213 5.1 The Basics 213 Problems 235 5.2 Economics Applications of Nash Equilibria 242 5.2.1 Cournot Duopoly 243 5.2.2 A Slight Generalization of Cournot 245 5.2.3 Cournot Model with Uncertain Costs 247 5.2.4 The Bertrand Model 250 5.2.5 The Stackelberg Model 252 5.2.6 Entry Deterrence 254 Problems 256 5.3 Duels (Optional) 259 5.3.1 Silent Duel on [0,1] (Optional) 262 Problem 266 5.4 Auctions (Optional) 266 5.4.1 Complete Information 271 Problems 272 5.4.2 Incomplete Information 272 5.4.3 Symmetric Independent Private Value Auctions 275 Problem 286 Bibliographic Notes 287 6 Cooperative Games 288 6.1 Coalitions and Characteristic Functions 288 Problems 307 6.1.1 More on the Core and Least Core 310 Problems 317 6.2 The Nucleolus 319 6.2.1 An Exact Nucleolus for Three-Player Games 327 Problems 333 6.3 The Shapley Value 335 Problems 347 6.4 Bargaining 352 6.4.1 The Nash Model with Security Point 358 6.4.2 Threats 365 6.4.3 The Kalai–Smorodinsky Bargaining Solution 377 6.4.4 Sequential Bargaining 379 Problems 384 Review Problems 386 6.5 Maple/Mathematica 386 6.5.1 Finding the Nucleolus One Step at a Time 386 6.5.2 Mathematica Code for Three-Person Nucleolus 391 6.5.3 The Shapley Value with Maple 393 6.5.4 Maple and Bargaining 393 Bibliographic Notes 394 7 Evolutionary Stable Strategies and Population Games 395 7.1 Evolution 395 7.1.1 Properties of an ESS 402 Problems 408 7.2 Population Games 409 Problems 428 Bibliographic Notes 430 Appendix A: The Essentials of Matrix Analysis 432 Appendix B: The Essentials of Probability 436 Appendix C: The Essentials of Maple 442 Appendix D: The Mathematica Commands 448 Appendix E: Biographies 463 Problem Solutions 465 References 549 Index 551

About the Author :
E. N. BARRON, PhD, is Professor of Mathematics and Statistics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Loyola University Chicago and the author of more than sixty journal articles on optimal control, differential games, nonlinear partial differential equations, and mathematical finance.

Review :
“I highly recommend the superb and very practical textbook Game Theory: An Introduction, Second Edition by E.N. Barron, Ph.D., along with its very useful learning companion book Solutions Manual to Accompany Game Theory: An Introduction, Second Edition also by E.N. Barron, Ph.D., to any academic instructors of game theory, especially those who teach a wide range of students from many different disciplines. This textbook provides the foundational aspects of game theory in an approachable and hands on format that will appeal to both professors and students alike.”  (Blog Business World, 21 September 2013)