“I am hard pressed to think of another book that can match the combination of practical insights and reading enjoyment.”―Steven Levitt Game theory means rigorous strategic thinking. It’s the art of anticipating your opponent’s next moves, knowing full well that your rival is trying to do the same thing to you. Though parts of game theory involve simple common sense, much is counterintuitive, and it can only be mastered by developing a new way of seeing the world. Using a diverse array of rich case studies―from pop culture, TV, movies, sports, politics, and history―the authors show how nearly every business and personal interaction has a game-theory component to it. Mastering game theory will make you more successful in business and life, and this lively book is the key to that mastery. Read more

Bestselling author and worst-drawing artist Ben Orlin expands his oeuvre with this interactive collection of mathematical games. With 70-plus games, each taking a minute to learn and a lifetime to master, this treasure trove will delight, educate, and entertain.From beloved math popularizer Ben Orlin comes a masterfully compiled collection of dozens of playable mathematical games.This ultimate game chest draws on mathematical curios, childhood classics, and soon-to-be classics, each hand-chosen to be (1) fun, (2) thought-provoking, and (3) easy to play. With just paper, pens, and the occasional handful of coins, you and a partner can enjoy hours of fun—and hours of challenge.Orlin’s sly humor, expansive knowledge, and so-bad-they’re-good drawings show us how simple rules summon our best thinking.Games include: Ultimate Tic-Tac-ToeSproutsBattleshipQuantum Go FishDots and BoxesBlack HoleOrder and ChaosSequenciumPaper BoxingPropheciesArpeggiosBankerFrancoprussian LabyrinthCats and DogsAnd many more. Read more

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Two  MIT economists  show  how  game theory—the ultimate theory of rationality—explains irrational behavior.   We like to think of ourselves as rational. This idea is the foundation for classical economic analysis of human behavior, including the awesome achievements of game theory. But as behavioral economics shows, most behavior doesn’t seem rational at all—which, unfortunately, casts doubt on game theory’s real-world credibility. In Hidden Games, Moshe Hoffman and Erez Yoeli find a surprising middle ground between the hyperrationality of classical economics and the hyper-irrationality of behavioral economics. They call it hidden games. Reviving game theory, Hoffman and Yoeli use it to explain our most puzzling behavior, from the mechanics of Stockholm syndrome and internalized misogyny to why we help strangers and have a sense of fairness. Fun and powerfully insightful, Hidden Games is an eye-opening argument for using game theory to explain all the irrational things we think, feel, and do.PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. Read more

Brian Clegg was always fascinated by Isaac Asimov’s classic Foundation series of books, in which the future is predicted using sophisticated mathematical modeling of human psychology and behavior. Only much later did he realize that Asimov’s "psychohistory" had a real-world equivalent: game theory. Originating in the study of probabilistic gambling games that depend on a random source—the throw of a dice or the toss of a coin—game theory soon came to be applied to human interactions: essentially, what was the best strategy to win whatever you were doing? Its mathematical techniques have been applied, with varying degrees of wisdom, to fields such as economics, evolution, and questions such as how to win a nuclear war. Clegg delves into game theory’s colorful history and significant findings and shows what we can all learn from this oft-misunderstood field of study. Read more

A famed political scientist's classic argument for a more cooperative world We assume that, in a world ruled by natural selection, selfishness pays. So why cooperate? In The Evolution of Cooperation, political scientist Robert Axelrod seeks to answer this question. In 1980, he organized the famed Computer Prisoners Dilemma Tournament, which sought to find the optimal strategy for survival in a particular game. Over and over, the simplest strategy, a cooperative program called Tit for Tat, shut out the competition. In other words, cooperation, not unfettered competition, turns out to be our best chance for survival. A vital book for leaders and decision makers, The Evolution of Cooperation reveals how cooperative principles help us think better about everything from military strategy, to political elections, to family dynamics. Read more

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A “fascinating, witty, and perspective-shifting” (Oliver Burkeman, New York Times bestselling author) tour of Bayes’s theorem and its global impact on modern life from the acclaimed science writer and author ofThe Rationalist’s Guide to the Galaxy.At its simplest, Bayes’s theorem describes the probability of an event, based on prior knowledge of conditions that might be related to the event. But in Everything Is Predictable, Tom Chivers lays out how it affects every aspect of our lives. He explains why highly accurate screening tests can lead to false positives and how a failure to account for it in court has put innocent people in jail. A cornerstone of rational thought, many argue that Bayes’s theorem is a description of almost everything. But who was the man who lent his name to this theorem? How did an 18th-century Presbyterian minister and amateur mathematician uncover a theorem that would affect fields as diverse as medicine, law, and artificial intelligence? “Witty, lively, and best of all, extremely nerdy” (Tim Harford, author of The Undercover Economist), Everything Is Predictable is an entertaining and accessible illustration of how a single compelling idea can have far reaching consequences. Read more

Game Theory 101: The Complete Textbook is a no-nonsense, games-centered introduction to strategic form (matrix) and extensive form (game tree) games. From the first lesson to the last, this textbook introduces games of increasing complexity and then teaches the game theoretical tools necessary to solve them. Inside, you will find: 1) All the basics fully explained, including pure strategy Nash equilibrium, mixed strategy Nash equilibrium, the mixed strategy algorithm, how to calculate payoffs, strict dominance, weak dominance, iterated elimination of strictly dominated strategies, iterated elimination of weakly dominated strategies, subgame perfect equilibrium, backward induction, forward induction, and more. 2) Dozens of games solved, including the prisoner’s dilemma, stag hunt, matching pennies, zero sum games, battle of the sexes/Bach or Stravinsky, chicken/snowdrift, pure coordination, deadlock, safety in numbers, Selten's game, the escalation game, the ultimatum game, the pirate game, nim, the centipede game, the hawk-dove game, the volunteer's dilemma, and rock-paper-scissors. 3) Rich descriptions of important economic concepts such as commitment problems, burning bridges, perverse incentives, and the chain store paradox. 4) Advanced topics such as generalized games, comparative statics, and knife-edge conditions. 5) Real world applications including wars, firm entry/exit, tournament strategy, arms races, advertising, game shows, soccer, baseball, video games, and more. 6) Crystal clear, line-by-line calculations of every step, with more than 400 images so you don’t miss a thing. Quick, efficient, and to the point, Game Theory 101: The Complete Textbook is perfect for introductory game theory, intermediate microeconomics, and political science. Read more

The perfect balance of readability and formalism. Joel Watson has refined his successful text to make it even more student-friendly. A number of sections have been added, and numerous chapters have been substantially revised. Dozens of new exercises have been added, along with solutions to selected exercises. Chapters are short and focused, with just the right amount of mathematical content and end-of-chapter exercises. New passages walk students through tricky topics. Read more

Mathematics for Finance: An Introduction to Financial Engineering combines financial motivation with mathematical style. Assuming only basic knowledge of probability and calculus, it presents three major areas of mathematical finance, namely Option pricing based on the no-arbitrage principle in discrete and continuous time setting, Markowitz portfolio optimisation and Capital Asset Pricing Model, and basic stochastic interest rate models in discrete setting. Read more

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An accessible, light-hearted exploration into game theory. Haim Shapira describes what it is, why it is important, and how it can help us in our daily lives.This audiobook provides many humorous anecdotes and insightful examples of how our daily lives are affected by game theory. Game theory is the mathematical formalization of interactive decision-making - it assumes that each player's goal is to maximize his/her benefit, whatever it may be. Players may be friends, foes, political parties, states, or any entity that behaves interactively, whether collectively or individually.One of the problems with game analysis is the fact that, as a player, it’s very hard to know what would benefit each of the other players; some of us are not even clear about our own goals or what might actually benefit us. Haim Shapira uses multiple examples to explain what game theory is and how the different interactions between decision-makers can play out.In this audiobook, you will:Meet the Nobel Laureate John F. Nash and familiarize yourself with his celebrated equilibriumLearn the basic ideas of the art of negotiationVisit the gladiators’ ring and apply for a coaching positionBuild an airport and divide inheritanceIssue ultimatums and learn to trust Read more

Games are everywhere: Drivers maneuvering in heavy traffic are playing a driving game. Bargain hunters bidding on eBay are playing an auctioning game. The supermarket's price for corn flakes is decided by playing an economic game. This Very Short Introduction offers a succinct tour of the fascinating world of game theory, a ground-breaking field that analyzes how to play games in a rational way. Ken Binmore, a renowned game theorist, explains the theory in a way that is both entertaining and non-mathematical yet also deeply insightful, revealing how game theory can shed light on everything from social gatherings, to ethical decision-making, to successful card-playing strategies, to calculating the sex ratio among bees. With mini-biographies of many fascinating, and occasionally eccentric, founders of the subject--including John Nash, subject of the movie A Beautiful Mind--this book offers a concise overview of a cutting-edge field that has seen spectacular successes in evolutionary biology and economics, and is beginning to revolutionize other disciplines from psychology to political science.About the Series: Oxford's Very Short Introductions offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects--from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, and Literary Theory to History. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative--yet always balanced and complete--discussions of the central issues in a given topic. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how it has developed and influenced society. Whatever the area of study, whatever the topic that fascinates the reader, the series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable. Read more

John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern conceived a groundbreaking mathematical theory of economic and social organization, based on a theory of games of strategy. Not only would this revolutionize economics, but the entirely new field of scientific inquiry it yielded--game theory--has since been widely used to analyze a host of real-world phenomena from arms races to optimal policy choices of presidential candidates, from vaccination policy to major league baseball salary negotiations. And it is today established throughout both the social sciences and a wide range of other sciences. Read more

From the winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, a “fluent and accessible” guide to understanding matching markets (Economist.com).“An exciting practical approach to economics that enables both individuals and institutions to achieve their goals without running afoul of the profit motive.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Most of the study of economics deals with commodity markets, where the price of a good connects sellers and buyers. But what about other kinds of “goods,” like a spot in the Yale freshman class or a position at Google? If you’ve ever sought a job or hired someone, applied to college or guided your child into a good kindergarten, asked someone out on a date or been asked out, you’ve participated in a kind of market. This is the territory of matching markets, where “sellers” and “buyers” must choose each other, and price isn’t the only factor determining who gets what.In Who Gets What—and Why, Nobel laureate Alvin E. Roth reveals the matching markets hidden around us and shows us how to recognize a good match and make smarter, more confident decisions.“In this fascinating, often surprising book, Alvin Roth guides us through the jungles of modern life, pointing to the many markets that are hidden in plain view all around us.” —Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational and The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty“Mr. Roth’s work has been to discover the most efficient and equitable methods of matching, and implement them in the world. He writes with verve and style . . . Who Gets What—and Why is a pleasure to read.” —Wall Street Journal “A book filled with wit, charm, common sense, and uncommon wisdom.” —Paul Milgrom, professor of economics, Stanford University and Stanford Business School Read more

Overcome Uncertainty with Logic and Reason.Life is full of uncertainties. You can't predict everything, but you can control the controllable by applying logic and reason. This book will introduce you to new ways of thinking and solving problems more efficiently. Discover how strategic games model real-life behavior and how many game theory concepts impact your daily life.Unlock the Power of Game Theory for Rational Decision-Making.Game theory, a branch of mathematics, focuses on rational, strategic decision-making. It applies to various fields, including psychology, economics, politics, military strategy, business, and retail pricing. By studying conflict and cooperation between intelligent, rational players, you’ll learn how to optimize decisions by considering others' actions. This book goes beyond theory, offering practical life skills to enhance your decision-making through strategic analysis.Boost Your Confidence in Decision-Making.Predict the future with greater accuracy. Wondering how to ask for a raise, choose the perfect date spot, or how top athletes and companies like Nike or Adidas make their best moves? Extraordinary decisions lead to outstanding success. By applying game theory principles, you’ll gain confidence in your choices.Learn Game Theory is written in a casual, easy-to-follow style with abundant relevant examples. It will help you develop strategic thinking, making better decisions based on logic and analysis.Transform Your Life with Game Theory.Make Better Business Decisions: Enhance your business strategies and optimize outcomes.Improve Your Relationships: Apply strategic thinking to build stronger, more effective relationships.Understand People Around You: Gain insights into human behavior and motivations.Navigate Sticky Situations: Develop skills to handle challenging scenarios more effectively.Albert Rutherford is an internationally bestselling author whose writing derives from various sources, such as research, coaching, academic, and real-life experience.Make better decisions and solve problems with ease. Learn Game Theory reveals the well-guarded secrets of great decision-makers. Read more

This ambitious book is the first to present a theoretical framework for a unified analysis of both behavioral and traditional economics. It explores the ultimate factors from an evolutionary perspective in addressing why humans are predictably irrational and proposes "adaptive rationality," a new direction for understanding human behavior.Taking anomalies in ultimatum game experiments as a starting point, this book presents findings from hundreds of experiments. The interdisciplinary nature of the book, which encompasses the latest research across an astonishingly wide range of fields—including game theory, psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, cultural anthropology, biology, and ethology—provides boundless intellectual excitement.While this is an academic book discussing human rationality, it can also be seen as a popular science book that delves deeply into questions such as "What underlies human decision making?" The book stands out for its unique approach, making it an unparalleled reading experience. The original Japanese edition won the Nikkei Prize for Economics Books (the 64th Nikkei-Keizai Tosho Bunka award) in 2021, an accolade bestowed upon an outstanding economics book published in a given year. Furthermore, this edition also received the Takashima Kunio Jiyu Prize Encouragement Award in 2024. Read more

A masterful work of science writing that’s "both a fascinating biography of von Neumann, the Hungarian exile whose mathematical theories were building blocks for the A-bomb and the digital computer, and a brilliant social history of game theory and its role in the Cold War and nuclear arms race" (San Francisco Chronicle). Should you watch public television without pledging?...Exceed the posted speed limit?...Hop a subway turnstile without paying? These questions illustrate the so-called "prisoner's dilemma", a social puzzle that we all face every day. Though the answers may seem simple, their profound implications make the prisoner's dilemma one of the great unifying concepts of science. Watching players bluff in a poker game inspired John von Neumann—father of the modern computer and one of the sharpest minds of the century—to construct game theory, a mathematical study of conflict and deception. Game theory was readily embraced at the RAND Corporation, the archetypical think tank charged with formulating military strategy for the atomic age, and in 1950 two RAND scientists made a momentous discovery.Called the "prisoner's dilemma," it is a disturbing and mind-bending game where two or more people may betray the common good for individual gain. Introduced shortly after the Soviet Union acquired the atomic bomb, the prisoner's dilemma quickly became a popular allegory of the nuclear arms race. Intellectuals such as von Neumann and Bertrand Russell joined military and political leaders in rallying to the "preventive war" movement, which advocated a nuclear first strike against the Soviet Union. Though the Truman administration rejected preventive war the United States entered into an arms race with the Soviets and game theory developed into a controversial tool of public policy—alternately accused of justifying arms races and touted as the only hope of preventing them. Prisoner's Dilemma is the incisive story of a revolutionary idea that has been hailed as a landmark of twentieth-century thought. Read more

“For anyone involved in settling disputes” (Richard Dawkins), a famed political scientist offers a classic argument for how to achieve a more cooperative world  We assume that, in a world ruled by natural selection, selfishness pays. So why cooperate? In The Evolution of Cooperation, political scientist Robert Axelrod seeks to answer this question. In 1979, he organized the famed Computer Prisoner’s Dilemma Tournament, which sought to find the most effective strategy for the ubiquitous prisoner’s dilemma, a model of strategy problems in the nuclear age. The expectation had been that some complicated scheme of competition would win the day. Instead, a simple, cooperative program called Tit for Tat did. The effects of that victory continue to reverberate today, from college campuses to the Situation Room.    A vital book for leaders and decision-makers, The Evolution of Cooperation reveals how cooperative principles help us think better about everything from military strategy to political elections to family dynamics.  Read more