MATH 363  -  MATHEMATICAL MODELING

Fall 2004

 

 

( 3 credits ) Topics in game theory include: games with perfect information; Nash equilibrium, mixed strategy equilibrium, Bayesian games; games with imperfect information; repeated games. Topics in curve fitting include: curve fitting with polynomials; Hermite method, Lagrange method, least-squares method; interpolation with piecewise polynomial functions; curve fitting with splines; smoothing techniques.

Prerequisite: Math 130

 

 

INSTRUCTOR:                     DR. DANIEL J. GHEZZI

OFFICE:                                A-404 

E-MAIL:                                djghezzi@kings.edu

PHONE #'s:                            x 5299                            (office)

                                               570 - 674 - 4039             (home - emergencies only please)

 

 

OFFICE HOURS:     MONDAY                 

                                                                                    TO

                                    TUESDAY                 

                                                                                    BE

                                    WEDNESDAY         

                                                                                    DETERMINED

                                    THURSDAY             

 

                                    FRIDAY                    

 

                             Other times available by appointment

 

 

COURSE MEETS:                  MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY         

TIME:                                      8:00 am - 8:50 am            (compressed schedule : 10:00 - 10:35)

PLACE:                                   MU- 204

 


 

The topics included in this course will be covered through lectures, class discussions, and homework assignments. In the Game Theory portion of the course, students will learn how to model real world problems appearing in the fields of economics, biology, and the social & behavioral sciences. No prior knowledge of these fields is required. Sound logical reasoning will be emphasized.

 

In the Curve Fitting portion of the course, students will study the various mathematical methods of fitting a curve to a set of data. They will learn how to choose an appropriate model for the data and how to use the model to estimate or predict an unobserved response. After completing this course, the students will be able to compare and contrast the results given by computer graphics packages because they will understand the mathematics upon which the packages are built.


 

GAME THEORY TEXT:

 

“An Introduction To Game Theory”

by Martin J. Osborne

Oxford University Press, Inc. 2004

ISBN #: 0-19-512895-8

 

Supporting materials can be viewed online at:

http://www.economics.utoronto.ca/osborne/igt/

 

 

THERE IS NO TEXT FOR THE CURVE FITTING PORTION OF THIS COURSE.

LECTURE NOTES AND THE PROFESSOR’S HANDOUTS WILL SUFFICE.

 

 


 

CLASS POLICIES:

 

 

1.)        There will be 4 tests. 2 tests on game theory and 2 tests on curve fitting. The 4th test  will be given during the final exam period at the end of the semester as scheduled by the registrar.

 

            A make-up for an exam will only be given in rare cases when:

 

a.)          You have prior written verification of a valid reason

 

                                                and

 

            you have notified the instructor prior to the time of the exam

 

                                                or

b.)            You have a confirmable emergency and notify the instructor as soon as possible

 

Make-up exams will be more difficult than the regularly scheduled exam.

 

 

2.)        Homework will be assigned each week and "is ordinarily due" at the beginning

of the first class meeting the following week. Some of the homework problems

will be designated as “work alone” problems. This means that the student must tackle the problem without any outside help (i.e. help other than that of the professor). Students can work together on problems that aren’t designated as “work alone”.

 

 


3.)        King’s College students ARE expected to attend all classes and to actively participate.

(See King's College Student Handbook).

Any student who misses more than (3) classes during the semester could incur a letter grade reduction. The loss of a letter grade is at the discretion of the instructor. If you are absent from class by reason of emergency, serious illness, or compelling cause, then you must notify the instructor as soon as possible and submit a written verification for the absence.

 

 

4.)        King’s College students ARE expected to arrive to class on time and to stay throughout the entire class period. If you arrive after the roll has been taken, then you must see the instructor after class to have your name added to the roll.

 

 

5.)        Students should read the King’s College policy regarding student conduct and

academic integrity.            (See King's College Student Handbook).

 

 

6.)        The federal government requires that instructors make special accommodations for students who have a bona-fide disability that impacts on their ability to learn the course material. Students with certifiable disabilities should privately inform the instructor so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

 

 

FINAL GRADE COMPUTATION

 

Homework:                                          20%

4  Exams                                              80%  {each exam is worth 20%}

 

Each student should read the policy on academic integrity outlined in the King's College Student Handbook.

 

 


Intended Schedule (subject to change by the professor)

                                                                                                                                   

GAME THEORY                                                                                                        Completed By:

 

Chapter 1:        Introduction                      September  2

          1.1     What is game theory

          1.2     The theory of rational choice

          1.3     Coming attractions

 

 

Chapter 2:        Nash Equilibrium: Theory           September 17

          2.1     Strategic games

          2.2     through 2.5     Examples

          2.6     Nash equilibrium

          2.7     Examples of Nash equilibrium

          2.8     Best response functions

          2.9     Dominated actions

          2.10    Equilibrium in a single population

 

 

Chapter 3:        Nash Equilibrium: Illustrations    September 22

 

 

Exam #1     Chapters 1, 2, and 3                     September 27

 

 

Chapter 5:        Extensive Games w/Perfect Information

                  Theory                            October  6

 

            5.1     Extensive games w/perfect information

          5.2     Strategies and outcomes

          5.3     Nash equilibrium

          5.4     Subgame perfect equilibrium

          5.5     Finding subgame perfect equilibrium

            of finite horizon games

 

 

Chapter 6:         Extensive Games w/Perfect Information

                   Illustrations                     October 11

 

 


Chapter 10:        Extensive Games w/Imperfect Information  

                                                       October 20

          10.1     Extensive games w/imperfect information

          10.2     Strategies

          10.3     Nash equilibrium

          10.4     Beliefs and sequential equilibrium

          10.5     Signaling games

Exam #2     Chapters 5, 6, and 10                     October 22

 

 

CURVE FITTING                                                                                                      

 

*1     Review of functions:

derivatives, integration, graphs             October 27

 

 

*2     Fitting curves using polynomials                November 12

 

Exam #3     Topics *1 and *2                           November 15

 

 

*3     Linear Splines                                  November 23

 

 

*4     Cubic Splines                                   December  6

 

 

*5     Introduction on Projectors                      December 10  

 

Exam #4     Topics *3, *4, and *5                       Finals Week


 

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