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Archive for the ‘Mathematics’ category

Game Theory 101 – What Is a Game?

December 27th, 2011

This post is a first in a series entitled Game Theory 101.

Before we can study game theory and strategic interaction, we have to start by defining what exactly a game is.

What the average person calls a game and what economists call a game are two very different things. Economists consider any form of strategic interaction a game and almost every decision you make every day is a strategic interaction. Should I go to class to today or sleep in? Should I go to work today or call in sick? Should I buy product x or product y? Should I get a coffee or a latte? Should I wear this shirt or that shirt? All these situations (and all the strategic interactions you have every day) have three things in common: they have players, strategies, and payoffs.

In order to be considered a game and interaction must have three things:

Players: Without players there can be no strategic interaction. Every game has at least one player but usually there are two or more. When you decide whether you should go to class or sleep in, the players are you and the professor. When you decide whether to go to work or call in sick, the players are you and your boss.

Strategies: In order to be a game the players must have strategies or actions they can choose. In our first example about going to class, the strategies are going to class or sleeping in. In our second example of going to work, the strategies are going to work or calling in sick.

Payoffs: Finally, every player must have payoffs associated with their strategies. In other words, they must care about the outcome of the game. Payoffs can be represented by anything but usually in game theory they are represented by numbers which usually represent utility. Utility is defined as the amount of satisfaction someone receives from something. Payoffs are very rarely represented by monetary units. Note that payoffs can also be negative.

These three things must be present in order for an interaction to be considered a game. I should also point out that in game theory, and economics, we assume people are rational which I know is usually far from the truth. The goal in game theory is to analyze a strategic interaction and find what the optimal decision for the players to make is. We then try to predict what the outcome will be if the game is played.

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Posted in Mathematics

The SAT Math Test – Why A Tutor Is a Good Idea

December 27th, 2011

Are you as prepared as you need to be to take the Math 2 SAT subject test? If you’re planning on taking your SAT math test in the near future, then you’ll want to do everything in your power to get the best results. Your SAT math score could mean the difference between getting into the right school and following your dream career or ending up with your second choice. The following information will help you figure out what you need to do to get the best results on your Math 2 SAT subject test so keep reading…

Why is the Math 2 SAT Subject Test So Important?

Many students get nervous just thinking about taking their Math 2 SAT subject test. It appears to be the one part of the SAT test that makes students the most terrified. It’s not that every part of the SAT isn’t important, because they all are. Your SAT score can determine which college you end up attending. And everyone knows that the college you attend has a big impact on your future. But for some reason the math portion of the SAT makes test-takers even more nervous than the rest.

For a lot of students, this is because Math requires a ton of memorization of rules, vocabulary, and formulas. Even one tiny mistake will result in a wrong answer and a lower Math SAT score. Even those of us who tend to do great in a math course may suffer anxiety when it comes to taking a test like the Math 2 SAT subject test because so much is riding on each answer. Still, it’s important to do your best on test day as your score will influence your future so drastically.

How to Get a Great Score on the SAT Math

Most students want to know how they can perform better on their Math 2 SAT subject test without having to spend a ton of money on practice books and tests and without having to attend a structured SAT class that interferes with their daily schedule.

Many students have had fantastic results on their SAT tests after working closely with tutors. A professional Math SAT tutor can help you understand complicated math formulas you’ve never really been able to grasp before. The best tutor will work with you through numerous problems, providing you with multiple examples to ensure you truly grasp the concepts.

The downside of hiring a professional Math tutor is that it might be difficult to find a tutor to meet with face to face who will be willing to go through countless revisions without charging you an arm and a leg.

However, there are some really good video tutoring systems available that give you the experience of working with a tutor without the high cost. The benefit of having your own video tutor collection stored safely on your computer is that you can view the various subject videos time after time until it makes sense to you. After all, repetition is one of the best ways of learning something. With good quality videos, you can pause to experiment, rewind to review a specific section and drill down to exactly where you feel you need the help the most .

Just remember, when it comes to doing well on your Math 2 SAT subject test, the most important thing is to prepare as much as possible. That way, when it’s time to take the test, you’ll be confident and relaxed and ready to get that high score.

Don’t forget, if you’re aiming to ace the math 2 subject test, make sure your video tutor covers all 10 subjects!