Book Description

The term "optimization" is used in describing a large number of numerical methods used to test the variables in a given process in order to identify the best method of process. The process of optimization lies at the root of engineering since the classical function of the engineer is to design new, more efficient, and less expensive systems as well as to devise plans and procedures to improve existing systems.
In recent years optimization techniques have been streamlined by the use of computers and artificial intelligence methods which can analyze a larger number of variables (especially under non-linear, multivariable conditions) more quickly than ever before. This book covers all classical linear and nonlinear optimization techniques while focusing on what has become the industry standard of mathematical engines, MATLAB. The author uses MATLAB as the tool in examples for running computer-based optimization problems at both the student level and beyond. This is classic coverage of optimization methods with a focus on modeling and the illustration of the numerical techniques via MATLAB. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

worst ever!!!
I've had Dr. Venkat as a professor for 3 classes at RIT and he is by far the worst I have ever had. DO NOT BUY HIS BOOK! It will only make you dumber! That is how I feel after coming out of his class. I believe the reviewer that says the website is a main resource, he points us to the class site all the time with no helpful information, and because he can't answer the questions himself on the spot. Are you buying a book or a website? I think that's all the helpful information I have for now.

How to learn and use MATLAB quickly!
Excellent source for all people who don't have time to study MATLAB in-depth. A lot of useful examples help anyone to create his/her own code in no time!

Great self teaching tool
In this text the author chooses MATLAB as the tool in running computer-based optimization problems. This approach clearly covers all levels of optimization, and the book further supports this coverage through many helpful examples that balance theory with the application. The open-ended problems that are provided are a helpful mechanism for reinforcing the lessons of the text. The website that is a companion to the book, helped me access the reference links to the MATLAB software and the author's own personal site. This web site is a true lifeline to the book. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the classic work upon which modern-day game theory is based. What began more than sixty years ago as a modest proposal that a mathematician and an economist write a short paper together blossomed, in 1944, when Princeton University Press published Theory of Games and Economic Behavior. In it, 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.

This sixtieth anniversary edition includes not only the original text but also an introduction by Harold Kuhn, an afterword by Ariel Rubinstein, and reviews and articles on the book that appeared at the time of its original publication in the New York Times, the Journal of Economic Perspectives, and a variety of other publications. Together, these writings provide readers a matchless opportunity to more fully appreciate a work whose influence will yet resound for generations to come.

... Read more

Reviews (2)

An Obvious Classic But . . .
Let me start out by acknowledging that this is THE BOOK that started Game Theory as it exists today. While Bayesian statistics are an obvious precursor, everyone agrees that von Neumann's and Morgenstern's work was ground breaking.

That said, this is not the best written Game Theory text out there. Like all seminal works, it suffers from the basic fact that we've learned a lot of new things since the time it was written. Many people have gone on to build and expand on the insights contained in this book, especially in the area of bargaining and cooperative game theory.

This is a very impressive book to keep on your shelf, and the discussion of poker and the role of bluffing is very interesting, but, owing largely to the 60+ years that have passed since its initial publication, it's not the best reference work or study material available.

Another word of warning: The review below is correct that the level of math that you must understand to fully appreciate this book is quite substantial. This book is more for the mathematically sophisticated who want to develop an appreciation for the origins of game theory.

Landmark work but heavy going

I'm not even sure I'm qualified to pass judgement on this book, but what I understand, I give 5 stars without hesitation. The authors discuss almost every class of game (2-person, 3-person, zero-sum, non-zero-sum, etc.) and even a very simplified version of poker.

You basically have to be a mathematician to get full value from this book. This book is absolutely full of equations and complex proofs. For a beginner with little math, I'd recommend Game Theory by Morton Davis, or for someone with some university math I'd recommend Games and Decisions by Luce and Raiffa. However, if your math is good, you might as well go straight to this book, which started the whole field of game theory. ... Read more

Book Description

In this innovative textbook, Joel Watson adopts a refreshing new format for teaching game theory to advanced undergraduates. The book is rigorous and mathematically precise but also extremely careful in its focus on using the simplest possible models and least complicated mathematics necessary. Another innovation of the book is the way in incorporates elements of contemporary contract theory into the exposition, in a format that is highly engaging for students and easily adapted to the standard coverage familiar to teachers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

very good book
Joel Watson has done a terrific job introducing game theory. Beware- game theory is not for the light hearted, this book does contain some very dense mathematical proofs etc. The hardest part of the book is understanding the mathematical proofs for the main ideas of game theory. Once the mathematical foundation has been layed down it is very easy to follow the main concepts such as nash equilibrium, bargaining solutions, etc. Watson writes in a very relaxed and informal fashion, which is very refreshing. If your professor requires this book for class you should not worry, this is one of the best books on the market. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

This was the textbook used by John Nash......
in his course in Game Theory (M711!) at MIT in the late 1950's.
I took that course; while Nash was unquestionably brilliant, he was getting to be pretty hard to follow at that point. The lecture hall was always jammed to overflowing, because even on a bad day Nash was really something! Nevertheless, the book was subsequently very useful, with lots of ideas about game-theoretic approaches to real-world problems.

Nash didn't think too highly of this book (too much non-mathematical stuff), but thought it the best available at the time not written by his arch-enemy, Von Neumann!

A Great Read
This overview of game theory and decisions is a great into the problems and ideas behind game theory. I expect that this book will be most appreciated by non-math Ph.D.'s or grad students. For a math person, Von Neumann and Morgenstern's classic title is perhaps a better place to start. This book is one of those that can be read on a range of levels. I work in a trading and risk management environment and I find this book very useful.

An excellent and easy to read introduction to Game Theory
This book covers all the elements of Game Theory, emphasizing intuition over mathematical formalism. The philosophical aspects are also given a thorough treatment. The 8 appendices provide a more formal exposition of several key concepts such as the Minmax Theorem, the geometry of equilibria and Linear programming. The book has not changed much since its publication in 1957, but it is by no means archaic. Even for those who have a modern and more rigorous textbook, "Games and Decisions" is Highly recommended as a supplement. There is something for everyone in it. ... Read more

Book Description

The first text to present a simple, intelligent guide to game theory, this book introduces concepts from areas such as economics using applications, game theoretic notions, and research results. The author presents game theory in an intelligible manner for those who do not have a strong background in the field of business or economics. Unlike other textbooks currently on the market that presuppose a knowledge of economics or finance, this book contains a broad base of applications that appeal to a broader audience but requires a minimal background in calculus, probability, and linear algebra. It contains a review the material on probability that readers need prior to taking a course on game theory. ... Read more

Book Description

The tradition of a publication based on the Gathering for Gardner continues with this new carefully selected and edited collection in which Martin Gardner and friends inspire and entertain.

The contributors to this volume—virtually a list of Who’s Who in the World of Puzzles—trace their inspiration to Martin Gardner’s puzzle column in Scientific American and to his contributions to the world of recreational mathematics.

Tribute to a Mathemagician contains an author index for the two previous books in the collection of books based on the Gatherings for Gardner.

Sample puzzles and games include:

- Tripos
- Black Jack
- Chinese ceramic puzzle vessels
- Paper folding
- Mongolian interlocking puzzles
- Rolling block puzzles
- Sliding puzzles
- Cryptic crosswords
- The Panex puzzle
- Polyonimo puzzles
- and more ... Read more

Book Description

This book pays careful attention to applications of game theory in a wide variety of disciplines. The applications are treated in considerable depth. The book assumes only high school algebra, yet gently builds to mathematical thinking of some sophistication. Game Theory and Strategy might serve as an introduction to both axiomatic mathematical thinking and the fundamental process of mathematical modelling. It gives insight into both the nature of pure mathematics, and the way in which mathematics can be applied to real problems. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An Excellent Small Book on Game Theory
I read a couple of books on game theory. This is one of the better books... but it also has one small advantage... it's small. I carry it almost everywhere and read its short chapters (another advantage) without getting too tired. It's also quite difficult to get tired reading the book as the author keeps his explanations fairly simple, lively, and to the point.

A good spread of topics and examples too!

Great book
I found this book accessible when I first read it in 9th grade, and I still find it fascinating today as a soon-to-be grad student in math.

Independent Research
I planned to do a talk on the subject of the mathematics of a particular game, called Snood, and I had to learn Game Theory quickly to do so. This book explains things well, and the exercises, while easy enough to do in my head, still cement everything very well so that I can honestly say that I have a solid understanding of the subject even though I just picked up a single book.

Very good.

Best Introduction into Game Theory
I found this book to be a very enjoyable read, covering the most interesting ideas in game theory and how they have impacted on other sciences from biology to sociology.
Almost no mathematical knowledge is required, because the text focuses on the ideas not the math.
Even if you want to learn about Game Theory including the mathematical foundation, I recommend to read this book first. It will wet your appetite for Game Theory and show the breath of ideas and applications.

anyone from social science should take a look
This book is designed to be easy to read. Mathematical maturity is almost irrelevant. This is a book written by a good mathematician, about how society, not mathematics. It is rare that a mathematician can write well about such a topic. Dr. Straffin did it very well. One might almost think that he is an English professor who is "translating" what a mathematics professor is lecturing. Moreover, Dr. Straffin is not lecturing how social scientists should conduct their studies. Instead, he is sharing his "mathematical lens" with the audience to view this world. After reading this book, one who has little experience with mathematics should feel that mathematics is not dry, dull and meaningless. The author is trying to show us with examples that mathematics is not only about particles, rockets and other "dead boring things." Mathematics is a tool for us understand this world, the part of the world with human beings in the story. ... Read more

Book Description

In a stochastic network, such as those in computer/telecommunications and manufacturing, discrete units move among a network of stations where they are processed or served. Randomness may occur in the servicing and routing of units, and there may be queueing for services. This book describes several basic stochastic network processes, beginning with Jackson networks and ending with spatial queueing systems in which units, such as cellular phones, move in a space or region where they are served. The focus is on network processes that have tractable (closed-form) expressions for the equilibrium probability distribution of the numbers of units at the stations. These distributions yield network performance parameters such as expectations of throughputs, delays, costs, and travel times. The book is intended for graduate students and researchers in engineering, science and mathematics interested in the basics of stochastic networks that have been developed over the last!twenty years. Assuming a graduate course in stochastic processes without measure theory, the emphasis is on multi-dimensional Markov processes. There is also some self-contained material on point processes involving real analysis. The book also contains rather complete introductions to reversible Markov processes, Palm probabilities for stationary systems, Little laws for queueing systems and space-time Poisson processes. This material is used in describing reversible networks, waiting times at stations, travel times and space-time flows in networks. ... Read more

Book Description

Every form of behavior is shaped by trial and error. Such stepwise adaptation can occur through individual learning or through natural selection, the basis of evolution. Since the work of Maynard Smith and others, it has been realized how game theory can model this process. Evolutionary game theory replaces the static solutions of classical game theory by a dynamical approach centered not on the concept ofrational players but on the population dynamics of behavioral programs. In this book the authors investigate the nonlinear dynamics of the self-regulation of social and economic behavior, and of the closely related interactions among species in ecological communities. Replicator equations describe how successful strategies spread and thereby create new conditions that can alter the basis of their success, i.e., to enable us to understand the strategic and genetic foundations of the endless chronicle of invasions and extinctions that punctuate evolution. In short, evolutionary game theory describes when to escalate a conflict, how to elicit cooperation, why to expect a balance of the sexes, and how to understand natural selection in mathematical terms. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Best There Is On Evolutionary Dynamics
When I was writing the chapter on evolutionary dynamics for my book Game Theory Evolving (Princeton, 2000), I looked at all the books available and found nothing. Then Hofbauer and Sigmund's new book (a totally revised version of their earlier Theory of Evolution and Dynamical Systems) came out, and I knew I had a masterpiece in hand.

The book does not assume the reader knows basic differential equation theory--it presents all the theory necessary. Indeed, it is a wonderful way to learn differential equation theory, since one immediately is faced with meaningful problems to solve. It does assume the reader is familiar with multivariate calculus. The book should be accessible to biologists and game theorists with a minimum understanding of each other's disciplines.

There are four parts. First, HS deal with Lotka-Volterra equations of the type prevalent in predator-prey models, which they extend to ecological models and several populations. Like the rest of the book, there are lots of problems and the presentation is elegant and succinct.

The second part deals with game theory dynamics and replicator equations, including sections on evolutionary games and asymmetric games. This too is extremely nicely presented, and the links to the Lotka-Volterra models are made clear.

Part three is on dynamical systems especially of relevance to biochemistry--catalytic hypercycles--as well as higher dimensional phase space dynamics of ecological models.

Part four deal with population genetic models using a differential equation approach. This section is also excellent, though for serious readers it should be complemented by Karlin and Taylor's Second Course in Stochastic Processes (which is much more mathematically demanding).

The physical production of the book is also first rate--a pleasure to read and use. ... Read more

Book Description

During the past twenty years, the linear complementarity problem has emerged as an important development in mathematical programming and numerical linear algebra. The Linear Complementarity Problem is a text designed to be suitable for both classroom use and as a references for researchers. The book is ideal for graduate students pursuing an advanced degree in operations research, but it is also of importance for many related fields of study, such as: computer science, applied mathematics, engineering, business studies, etc.

* First comprehensive introductory text on the linear complementarity problem (LCP).
* Involves all three major aspects on the LCP: theory, applications, and computation.
* Text includes numerous exercises to illustrate the theory and computational procedures presented. ... Read more

Book Description

Hardbound. This is the second of three volumes surveying the state of the art in Game Theory and its applications to many and varied fields, in particular to economics. The chapters in the present volume are contributed by outstanding authorities, and provide comprehensive coverage and precise statements of the main results in each area. The applications include empirical evidence. The following topics are covered: communication and correlated equilibria,coalitional games and coalition structures, utility and subjective probability, common knowledge, bargaining, zero-sum games, differential games, and applications of game theory to signalling, moral hazard, search, evolutionary biology, international relations, voting procedures, social choice, public economics, politics, and cost allocation. This handbook will be of interest to scholars in economics, political science, psychology, mathematics and biology. For more information on the Handbook ... Read more

Book Description

This book is an up-to-date documentation of the state of the art in combinatorial optimization, presenting approximate solutions of virtually all relevant classes of NP-hard optimization problems. The well-structured wealth of problems, algorithms, results, and techniques introduced systematically will make the book an indispensible source of reference for professionals. The smooth integration of numerous illustrations, examples, and exercises make this monograph an ideal textbook. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great sequel to Garey and Johnson
This book is a great sequel to Garey and Johnson. The appendix of this book gives a list of all NP optimisation problems together with their current approximability (or inapproximability results) in a Garey Johnson fashion.

Developing approximation algorithms for NP hard problems is now a very active field in Mathematical Programming and Theoretical Computer Science. There have been a number of exciting developments like semidefinite programming , the Goemans Williamson algorithm for max cut et al.

On the other hand, from a theoretical computer science point of view, we now have a proof that many of these problems cannot have polynomial approximation algorithms unless P=NP.

This book provides an excellent introduction to both areas. A worthy supplement to Garey and Johnson, Papadimitriou's books on combinatorial optimisation and computational complexity, Hochbaum's book on approximation algorithms, Alon and Spencer's book on the probabilistic method and finally Motwani and Raghavan's book on randomised algorithms. ... Read more

Book Description

What does the 2000 U.S. presidential election have in common with selecting a textbook for a calculus course in your department? Was Ralph Nader's influence on the election of George W. Bush greater than the now-famous chads? In Chaotic Elections!, Don Saari analyzes these questions, placing them in the larger context of voting systems in general. His analysis shows that the fundamental problems with the 2000 presidential election are not with the courts, recounts, or defective ballots, but are caused by the very way Americans vote for president.

This expository book shows how mathematics can help to identify and characterize a disturbingly large number of paradoxical situations that result from the choice of a voting procedure. Moreover, rather than being able to dismiss them as anomalies, the likelihood of a dubious election result is surprisingly large. These consequences indicate that election outcomes--whether for president, the site of the next Olympics, the chair of a university department, or a prize winner--can differ from what the voters really wanted. They show that by using an inadequate voting procedure, we can, inadvertently, choose badly. To add to the difficulties, it turns out that the mathematical structures of voting admit several strategic opportunities, which are described.

Finally, mathematics also helps identify positive results: By using mathematical symmetries, we can identify what the phrase "what the voters really want" might mean and obtain a unique voting method that satisfies these conditions.

Saari's book should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand not only what happened in the presidential election of 2000, but also how we can avoid similar problems from appearing anytime any group is making a choice using a voting procedure. Reading this book requires little more than high school mathematics and an interest in how the apparently simple situation of voting can lead to surprising paradoxes. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An Insightful Look at Voting
Saari has put together a small but useful book on the trickiness inherent in voting and the potential paradoxes that can get minor candidates elected. In races with more than two candidates, the method of vote counting is extremely important, and it is possible that by changing the counting process, you could have any candidate you want winning. Theoretically, an election could be rigged without a single dishonest vote.

The obvious solution is to choose the counting method before the election, not afterwards, but there are perils to watch out for nonetheless. Saari goes into depth about these dangers.

This depth often gets very technical, something Saari is up front about. Less than half the book is really aimed for the lay reader; the remainder is aimed more towards mathematicians. Nonetheless, I recommend this book for everyone interested in the democratic process; even if you can't get into the math, there are still enough important insights to make this book more than worthwhile.

Great on math, weak on policy
First, I'm a physicist, so the math was fine for me, but some people might find it frustrating. However, if you're willing to sink your teeth into it you'll get the important ideas.

Second, Saari's insights into the role of symmetry in three-person elections are beautiful. He shows that even if none of the three (or more) candidates can beat all of the others head-to-head there is still interesting information present. When resolving cyclic ambiguities (George beats Bill, Bill beats Ross, Ross beats George) Saari's mathematical insights may be quite useful.

However, I have to take Saari to task for his criticism of Approval Voting (where you simply indicate yes or no for each candidate). He points out that the Approval winner cannot be predicted based solely on people's preference orders (e.g. I might like Ross better than Bill or George, and Bill better than George). Saari sees this as a defect, because "anybody could win." Approval, however, makes use of different information. Which of those candidates pass your threshold? Vote yes for all that you find acceptable.

Seen in this light, Approval is a perfectly rational policy.

Also, Saari doesn't think too highly of the Condorcet criterion: If one candidate can beat all others in one-on-one contests then that candidate should win. It is true that sometimes no candidate meets that criterion, and in those cases Saari's analysis provides important insights on how to resolve the situation. However, sometimes there is in fact one person who can beat all others one-on-one. In that case, no amount of analysis can change the fact that the Condorcet candidate is preferred over all others, and should win.

Finally, Saari gives short shrift to strategic considerations. If everybody is honest his analysis gives excellent advice on running elections. However, his methods have loopholes that voters and candidates can exploit, trying to get the best outcome even if it means indicating an insincere preference order.

Ultimately, the study of elections has to balance two different approaches: Understanding what the people want based on the info they give, and understanding whether the system gives them incentives to give insincere info. Saari has great insight into the first part, but he doesn't seem as interested in the second part.

Election Math made Accessible: Cures Headaches, too!
This book makes some of Saari's most important research into the mathematics of voting accessible to a general audience for the first time. Personally, I greatly appreciate this book. With very little math background, I have tried in vain for the past year to comprehend some of Saari's research articles, with the assistance of a math professor. The result was very little comprehension, and a lot of headaches. This book has, for the first time, enabled me to understand some of the things I had struggled with in vain for months, and greatly increased my comprehension of many of those things I saw only dimly before. I thank the author for the mercy he has shown towards me, and similarly interested readers of his work.

At this time, Saari seems to be the world's leading researcher in the mathematics of voting and group decision making. While most of the general public, in the US at least, has remained almost entirely ignorant of the paradoxes of voting, mathematicians have recognized and struggled with them for centuries, since they recognized that the widespread rule that 'a plurality shall elect' can result in the election of the voters' least preferred candidate; for example, when there are 3 candidates, the plurality winner may be a candidate who is the last choice of up to two-thirds of the voters. Saari's recently published research papers, which resolve many of these profoundly difficult mind stumpers, and the recent US Presidential election, not to mention the begging and pleading of mathematical simpletons like myself, combined to motivate Saari to write this book.

If you are at all interested in having your vote properly accounted for in everything from selecting your group's next officer, to future national elections, I recommend this book to you. I guarantee that you will learn something worthwhile from it.

Let me add one last personal note for Wisconsin readers. I am briefly cited in this book in regard to the use of an alternative to the plurality voting procedure, called the 'Second Choice' procedure, in state primaries of Wisconsin's 'Progressive Era.' The use of such alternatives in the history of Wisconsin, and other states, proves that such electoral reforms are actually possible, given a sufficiently educated and motivated electorate. Saari has done the analysis, and made it accessible. Now, it is up to us to educate ourselves, and other voters, and then, in the light of our newfound knowledge, to demand more democratic election procedures.

Also recommended: Principles of Electoral Reform ... Read more

Book Description

Steven J. Brams' Theory of Moves, though based on the classical theory of games, proposes major changes in its rules to render it a truly dynamic theory.By postulating that players think ahead not just to the immediate consequences of making moves, but also to the consequences of countermoves to these moves, counter-countermoves, and so on, it extends the strategic analysis of conflicts into the more distant future.Applied to a series of cases drawn from politics, economics, sociology, fiction, and the Bible, the theory provides not only an explanation of their outcomes but also shows why they unfolded as they did. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent treatise
The next step on the journey to understanding and applying game theory. Also, check out "Game Theory at Work" by James Miller.

Remarkable , thought provoking and inspiring .
To me , "Theory of Moves" (TOM) is the first academic book I have read cover to cover with great interest . I discovered this book in the course of the last semester , being one of the must reads for the game theory course I'd taken , and once I got my hands on this book I couldn't wait to have the time to read it thoroughly , a task I completed only lately .

Game theory in general and TOM in particular , have given me a new way of looking at the world surrounding me ; I feel like I understand it better than before I've learned to use this logical and rational thinking . Many things look simpler now , since the facts and principals I've learned make them comprehensible , understandable and clearer than before .

Prior to reading this book you'd have to have some background on the classical game theory . I learned this background mainly from the booklet of Frank Zagare that pretty much covered all the main basic principals of the qualitative use of the theory . Morton Davis is also a good choice for beginners , both center on the non-mathematical aspects of the theory which are used to dissect and explain the decisions of players at matters of internal politics ,international relations and everyday's life serious decisions people make .

This work represents an extension of game theory that helps to adjust it better to real life , or as Brams puts it : "The Theory of Moves brings a dynamic dimension to the classical theory which was defined as static , by postulating that players think ahead not just to the immediate consequences but also to the consequences of the other player's countermove , counter countermove and so on ... TOM extends the strategic thinking into the more distant future . "

Brams , in his book , gives all the tools needed to learn and understand everything about his fascinating theory . This effort is mostly a summation of more then two decades of trial and error , deep investigations , constant changes and improvements , and examination of a myriad of case studies .

The major concepts and issues you are going to read about and be captivated with will start with the 'Anticipation Problem' , going through 'Magnanimity' with the teasing theme - "it sometimes pays ...", 'Moving Power' , 'Order' and 'Threat power' , ending with 'Information Problems' in games such as 'Misperception' (which is enormously intriguing concept to capture) , 'Deception' and 'Omniscience' . There is also an additional chapter that was difficult for me to understand , in which Brams offers a new model of negotiations .

Each chapter is written with the well known form of introduction - theory principals - applications , in addition to a last chapter that concludes the entire book . This design is very helpful since whenever you have problems understanding the theory - you can immediately skip to the examples Brams is generous with giving - and solve all the unclear points instantly . As for the style itself , we're dealing here with a first class author that has the outstanding ability to keep you thrilled all along the reading effort , winding up asking for more ...

From what I've gathered so far this is the best book you can get about this brilliant extension . I believe everyone that is interested in expanding horizons in this evolving field should read this book , and maybe add further applications and modifications in the future to come . ... Read more

Book Description

This latest collection of puzzles from the internationally acclaimed puzzlemaster Nob Yoshigahara covers a wide variety of puzzles from physical to visual, conceptual to mathematical.

Solutions are provided in a separate section, which will help novices get on the right track, and will give seasoned aficionados a chance to check their work. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good collection of addictive puzzlets
Nob is a revered Japanese puzzlist so the publisher (AK Peters) ought to be commended for giving us the first English translation of his many excellent puzzle books - this was long overdue.

As far as content is concerned, this book has mostly penny&matches and cut-up&reassemble type puzzles - so in a sense,it is a variation on an already known theme.

However, most of the puzzles have a fresh twist which makes them thoroughly engaging -- but quite a few are blood-letting head scratchers!

The book is well illustrated and has a nice introduction by Nob.

Let's hope for more of Nob's puzzle books from AK Peters! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great analysis of common strategic behavior problems
This is a great example of how the rigor of game theory can give startling insights into outcomes of common situations. Although I'm no mathematician or economist, all business people are at some point required to base their decisions on how they think others will behave. This book provides some great frameworks for structuring that thought process.

Unique
Altough it's often just theory, is a unique book, rxpressing the Chicago school's view on law. Do not expect something you can use practically.

good treatment
This book is a solid introduction both to game theory and its application in legal analysis. It does a nice job of serving two audiences: lawyers who want to see some game theory and how it can illuminate analysis of things like liability regimes, and game theorists/economists/formal political scientists who are interested in a novel application of game theory. (Well, I'm only the second audience, but it seems like the first would be well served also.)

The book is very verbal. I believe there are two equations in it, in all (but many game matrices). So for legal scholars it can be a useful introduction to what game theory has to say, but it can't give much guidance on how to build a model. Given the importance of spreading these ideas, the non-technical nature is probably a plus.

The authors deserve credit for covering a lot of ground in game theory, much of it seemingly impossible to understand without the math, with minimal technical investment. Most basic topics that might be covered in a graduate course for economists are treated -- at an intuitive level, but one that is very understandable.

A couple drawbacks come to mind. First, the authors do not stress enough the knowledge assumptions behind Nash equilibrium. Moreover, there is not enough discussion of solution concepts, like correlated equilibrium, that subsume wide possibilities of communication or even implicit contract signing, which seems important, given the nature of the book.

A pathbreaking work of importance and clarity
This book popularizes and extends a new approach (non-cooperative game theory) to the economic analysis of law. Readable and concise, this book is a must for students and scholars wishing to understand the ways in which legal rules can be usefully modeled as non-cooperative games. As a professor in the discipline, I am awed by the important and brilliant scholarship presented in this book with superb skill. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

This book gives the mathematical foundations of the theory of stationary queueing systems. In particular, it contains a thorough treatment of the Palm theory and of the Loynes theory of stationary systems, the two pillars of the modern approach to queuing. Several other mathematical tools, which are useful within this approach, are also presented such as the martingale calculus for point processes or stochastic ordering for stationary recurrences. This thoroughly revised second edition contains a substantial number of additions with the aim of rendering this now classic reference suitable for use as a textbook. In particular, exercises and their solutions have been added. ... Read more

Book Description

Perceptively written text examines optimization problems that can be formulated in terms of networks and algebraic structures called matroids. Chapters cover shortest paths, network flows, bipartite matching, nonbipartite matching, matroids and the greedy algorithm, matroid intersections, and the matroid parity problems. A suitable text or reference for courses in combinatorial computing and concrete computational complexity in departments of computer science and mathematics.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

Another classic book
I read Introduction to Algorithms (1990, MIT) and this book is recommended for "further studies" on networks flow and Matroids. However, can anyone tell me is Eugene S Lawler the same person as Eugene L Lawler (a UCB professor)? Or are they two persons?

A good overview of combinatorial optimisation
Combinatorial Optimisation : Networks and Matroids by Eugene Lawler examines shortest paths, network flows, bipartite matching, non bipartite matching. More importantly there is an excellent introduction to matroid theory including matroids and the greedy algorithm, matroid intersections and matroid parity problems, some of these Lawler's own results.

However there is not much on NP completeness, since this book was published in 1976. For a more to date version of events in combinatorial optimisation one might want to look at Papadimitriou and Steglitz's book on combinatorial optimisation (quite old too, considering this was published in 1982), Ahuja, Magnanti and Orlin's book on Network algorithms, Hochbaum's book on approximation algorithms and Cook, Cunnigham,Pulleyblank and Schrijver's book on combinatorial optimisation (listed in the order they were published).

Lawler's book is extremely well written and I am delighted that this book is now published by Dover, and hence easily affordable. ... Read more