Many experiments have shown the human brain generally has very serious
problems dealing with probability and chance. A greater understanding
of probability can help develop the intuition necessary to approach
risk with the ability to make more informed (and better) decisions.
The first four chapters offer the standard content for an introductory
probability course, albeit presented in a much different way and
order. The chapters afterward include some discussion of different
games, different "ideas" that relate to the law of large numbers, and
many more mathematical topics not typically seen in such a book. The
use of games is meant to make the book (and course) feel like fun!
Since many of the early games discussed are casino games, the study of
those games, along with an understanding of the material in later
chapters, should remind you that gambling is a bad idea; you should
think of placing bets in a casino as paying for entertainment. Winning
can, obviously, be a fun reward, but should not ever be expected.
Changes for the Second Edition: New chapter on Game Theory New chapter
on Sports Mathematics The chapter on Blackjack, which was Chapter 4 in
the first edition, appears later in the book. Reorganization has been
done to improve the flow of topics and learning. New sections on
Arkham Horror, Uno, and Scrabble have been added. Even more exercises
were added! The goal for this textbook is to complement the
inquiry-based learning movement. In my mind, concepts and ideas will
stick with the reader more when they are motivated in an interesting
way. Here, we use questions about various games (not just casino
games) to motivate the mathematics, and I would say that the writing
emphasizes a "just-in-time" mathematics approach. Topics are presented
mathematically as questions about the games themselves are posed.
Table of Contents Preface 1. Mathematics and Probability 2. Roulette
and Craps: Expected Value 3. Counting: Poker Hands 4. More Dice:
Counting and Combinations, and Statistics 5. Game Theory: Poker
Bluffing and Other Games 6. Probability/Stochastic Matrices: Board
Game Movement 7. Sports Mathematics: Probability Meets Athletics 8.
Blackjack: Previous Methods Revisited 9. A Mix of Other Games 10.
Betting Systems: Can You Beat the System? 11. Potpourri: Assorted
Adventures in Probability Appendices Tables Answers and Selected
Solutions Bibliography Biography Dr. David G. Taylor is a professor of
mathematics and an associate dean for academic affairs at Roanoke
College in southwest Virginia. He attended Lebanon Valley College for
his B.S. in computer science and mathematics and went to the
University of Virginia for his Ph.D. While his graduate school focus
was on studying infinite dimensional Lie algebras, he started studying
the mathematics of various games in order to have a more
undergraduate-friendly research agenda. Work done with two Roanoke
College students, Heather Cook and Jonathan Marino, appears in this
book! Currently he owns over 100 different board games and enjoys
using probability in his decision-making while playing most of those
games. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, cooking, coding, playing
his board games, and spending time with his six-year-old dog Lilly.
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An Introduction to Mathematics
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781000400212
Publisert
2021
Utgave
2. utgave
Utgiver
Vendor
Chapman & Hall
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter