h Game Theory g
mathematics 437 syllabus
Instructor: Tony Mendes
Email: aamendes@calpoly.edu
Class meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:10–8:00 in Building 38, Room 148.
Office hours: Tuesdays 8:10pm–9 and Thursdays 4:10–5 in Building 25, Room 202.
Web page: The web page
www.calpoly.edu/~aamendes/437.html
contains our textbook, assignments, readings, and code. It will be updated frequently.
Prerequisites: Required prerequisites are an introduction to mathematical proof (Math 248) and
elementary linear algebra (either Math 206 or Math 244). This course makes free use of concepts from
calculus and differential equations, matrix algebra, and probability. You will be asked to write proofs.
Text and course content: Our text is Game Theory by Thomas S. Ferguson. This text and auxiliary
notes are on the website. An outline of the course topics and corresponding references follows.
Topic
Two person zero sum finite games
Linear programming
Interval games
Iterated and repeated games
Utility theory
Two person general sum games
Nash bargaining and cooperation
n person games
Reference
Part II pages 3–33, Minimax Theorem notes
Linear Prog. pages 3–28, Part II pages 37–45
Interval games
Part II pages 58–72
Appendix pages 1–4
Part III pages 2–15
Part III pages 25–36
Part IV pages 2–6 and 12–21
Reading the text is recommended since class discussions are designed to complement, not mimic, the text.
Grading: Letter grades are based on assignments, two midterms, and a final exam. The proportions of
the total grade given to each activity are:
Assignments 25 %
Assignments
50 %
Midterm 1 25 %
Midterm 1 50/3 %
or
Midterm 2 25 %
Midterm 2 50/3 %
Final Exam 25 %
Final Exam 50/3 %
The grading scheme which will be used for you will be the grading scheme which earns you the highest
total score. Letter grades will be given such that a total score of at least 90% earns A, 80% to 90% earns a
B, 70% to 80% earns a C, and 60% to 70% earns a D.
Assignments: Assignments are important and high quality work is expected. You will not receive credit
for an exercise unless careful explanations are included. Prepare assignments as if you are in the working
world and you are presenting solutions to clients or supervisors.
It may be helpful to work in teams, but you are individually responsible for turning in an assignment.
Computer and calculator use is encouraged.
Dates: Thursday, April 25 — Midterm 1
Thursday, May 23 — Midterm 2
Tuesday, May 28 — No class (Academic Holiday)
Tuesday, June 11 — Final exam at 7:10pm in our classroom.
Game Theory Assignment Guidelines
Completing an assignment is a two step process. The first step is discovering the solutions. The second
step is clearly and concisely explaining those solutions. You will be graded on both steps.
Technical communication is the process of gathering information and presenting it in a clear, easily
understandable form. This is a critical skill for anyone entering a career involving science, mathematics, or
engineering. Because of this, I demand quality explanations.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
• A quick way to determine the caliber of your exposition is to have a classmate read what you have
written. If he fully understands a solution you have written after reading your solution just once,
then you have achieved the ultimate goal in technical writing.
• Short but complete answers are best (provided full sentences and appropriate punctuation is used).
• Scratch work and algebra steps should be omitted. Assume your audience understands calculus and
matrix algebra but does not understand game theory. For example, if you need to find the inverse of
1 1
M=
,
3 4
then do not explicitly show how M
−1
is calculated. Simply state: The inverse of M is
4
−3
−1
.
1
Computers and calculators can help with these tasks.
• Neatness counts! Do not show me scribbles or pages with writing that has been erased and rewritten
many times over. If you choose to type your assignments, then use software which is appropriate for
this purpose. Microsoft Word, for example, is not an ideal application to typeset mathematics. I
prefer neat handwriting over awkward typesetting.
I am personally going to grade everyone’s work. To help with the logistics of reading 35 assignments,
please write on one side of the paper only; answer questions in the order given; and either staple, paper
clip, or do not attach pages together. Please do not dog-ear the corners.
Speak with your classmates about the assignments. Visit me when you have trouble expressing your
ideas and we’ll talk through things together!