Game Theory in Action is a textbook about using game theory across a range of real-life scenarios. From traffic accidents to the sex lives of lizards, Stephen Schecter and Herbert Gintis show students how game theory can be applied in diverse areas including animal behavior, political science, and economics. The book's examples and problems look at such fascinating topics as crime-control strategies, climate-change negotiations, and the power of the Oracle at Delphi. The text includes a substantial treatment of evolutionary game theory, where strategies are not chosen through rational analysis, but emerge by virtue of being successful. This is the side of game theory that is most relevant to biology; it also helps to explain how human societies evolve. Aimed at students who have studied basic calculus and some differential equations, Game Theory in Action is the perfect way to learn the concepts and practical tools of game theory. * Aimed at students who have studied calculus and some differential equations* Examples are drawn from diverse scenarios, ranging from traffic accidents to the sex lives of lizards* A substantial treatment of evolutionary game theory* Useful problem sets at the end of each chapter

Now in its second edition, this popular textbook on game theory is unrivalled in the breadth of its coverage, the thoroughness of technical explanations and the number of worked examples included. Covering non-cooperative and cooperative games, this introduction to game theory includes advanced chapters on auctions, games with incomplete information, games with vector payoffs, stable matchings and the bargaining set. This edition contains new material on stochastic games, rationalizability, and the continuity of the set of equilibrium points with respect to the data of the game. The material is presented clearly and every concept is illustrated with concrete examples from a range of disciplines. With numerous exercises, and the addition of a solution manual for instructors with this edition, the book is an extensive guide to game theory for undergraduate through graduate courses in economics, mathematics, computer science, engineering and life sciences, and will also serve as useful reference for researchers.

The P-NP problem is the most important open problem in computer science, if not all of mathematics. Simply stated, it asks whether every problem whose solution can be quickly checked by computer can also be quickly solved by computer. The Golden Ticket provides a nontechnical introduction to P-NP, its rich history, and its algorithmic implications for everything we do with computers and beyond. Lance Fortnow traces the history and development of P-NP, giving examples from a variety of disciplines, including economics, physics, and biology. He explores problems that capture the full difficulty of the P-NP dilemma, from discovering the shortest route through all the rides at Disney World to finding large groups of friends on Facebook. The Golden Ticket explores what we truly can and cannot achieve computationally, describing the benefits and unexpected challenges of this compelling problem.

This monograph presents smooth, unified, and generalized fractional programming problems, particularly advanced duality models for discrete min-max fractional programming. In the current, interdisciplinary, computer-oriented research environment, these programs are among the most rapidly expanding research areas in terms of their multi-faceted applications including problems ranging from robotics to money market portfolio management. The other more significant aspect of this monograph is in its consideration of minimax fractional integral type problems using higher order sonvexity and sounivexity notions. This is significant for the development of different types of duality models in terms of weak, strong, and strictly converse duality theorems, which can be handled by transforming them into generalized fractional programming problems. Fractional integral type programming is one of the fastest expanding areas of optimization, which feature several types of real-world problems. It can be applied to different branches of engineering (including multi-time multi-objective mechanical engineering problems) as well as to economics, to minimize a ratio of functions between given periods of time. Furthermore, it can be utilized as a resource in order to measure the efficiency or productivity of a system. In these types of problems, the objective function is given as a ratio of functions. For example, we consider a problem that deals with minimizing a maximum of several time-dependent ratios involving integral expressions.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Third International Meeting on Innovation for Systems Information and Decision, INSID 2021, which was held during December 1-3, 2021. The conference was initially planned to take place in Recife, Brazil, but changed to a virtual meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 9 full papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 76 submissions. They reflect methodological improvements and advances in multi-criteria decision-making/multi-criteria decision-aid (MCDM/MCDA) oriented toward real-world applications, which contribute to the understanding of relevant developments of current research on and future trends of innovation for systems information and decision.

This book investigates two types of static multi-fidelity surrogates modeling approaches, sequential multi-fidelity surrogates modeling approaches, the multi-fidelity surrogates-assisted efficient global optimization, reliability analysis, robust design optimization, and evolutionary optimization. Multi-fidelity surrogates have attracted a significant amount of attention in simulation-based design and optimization in recent years. Some real-life engineering design problems, such as prediction of angular distortion in the laser welding, optimization design of micro-aerial vehicle fuselage, and optimization design of metamaterial vibration isolator, are also provided to illustrate the ability and merits of multi-fidelity surrogates in support of engineering design. Specifically, lots of illustrative examples are adopted throughout the book to help explain the approaches in a more "hands-on" manner. This book is a useful reference for postgraduates and researchers of mechanical engineering, as well as engineers of enterprises in related fields.

This book introduces a maintenance model that will assist decision-makers in their choice of building maintenance policies. The model is stochastic and condition-based that analyses the impact of different maintenance strategies on the durability and performance of different buildings envelope elements (facades, windows, and roofs). As non-structural elements, the maintenance of buildings envelope can be disregarded stakeholders. However, as first barrier to the external environment, these elements are critical to buildings' overall performance and are expected to meet aesthetic, comfort, safety, and durability requirements. The methodology presented is innovative. The maintenance model is based on a Petri net formalism and includes degradation, inspection, maintenance, and renewal processes. The model provides key information, such as: i) the impact of different maintenance strategies on the service life and durability of the building components; ii) the impact of maintenance on their performance over time; iii) the life cycle costs; and iv) the impact of maintenance on the buildings' use. The book will be of use to a variety of professionals in the construction sector.

This book presents the study to design, develop, and implement improved PI control techniques using dead-time compensation, structure enhancements, learning functions and fractional ordering parameters. Two fractional-order PI controllers are proposed and designed: fractional-order predictive PI and hybrid iterative learning based fractional-order predictive PI controller. Furthermore, the proposed fractional-order control strategies and filters are simulated over first- and second-order benchmark process models and further validated using the real-time experimentation of the pilot pressure process plant. In this book, five chapters are structured with a proper sequential flow of details to provide a better understanding for the readers. A general introduction to the controllers, filters and optimization techniques is presented in Chapter 1. Reviews of the PI controllers family and their modifications are shown in the initial part of Chapter 2, followed by the development of the proposed fractional-order predictive PI (FOPPI) controller with dead-time compensation ability. In the first part of chapter 3, a review of the PI based iterative learning controllers, modified structures of the ILC and their modifications are presented. Then, the design of the proposed hybrid iterative learning controller-based fractional-order predictive PI controller based on the current cyclic feedback structure is presented. Lastly, the results and discussion of the proposed controller on benchmark process models and the real-time experimentation of the pilot pressure process plant are given. Chapter 4 presents the development of the proposed filtering techniques and their performance comparison with the conventional methods. Chapter 5 proposes the improvement of the existing sine cosine algorithm (SCA) and arithmetic optimization algorithm (AOA) to form a novel arithmetic-trigonometric optimization algorithm (ATOA) to accelerate the rate of convergence in lesser iterations with mitigation towards getting caught in the same local position. The performance analysis of the optimization algorithm will be carried out on benchmark test functions and the real-time pressure process plant.

Dieses Buch zeigt an einfachen Beispielen, wozu mathematisches Verstandnis (neben reinen Rechenfertigkeiten) in den Fachern der Betriebs- und Volkswirtschaftslehre gebraucht wird, um oekonomische Prozesse analysieren zu koennen. Es beschreibt zunachst die zentrale Bedeutung von Funktionen, fuhrt in lockerer Sprache in wissenschaftliches Modelldenken ein und erlautert die wichtige Abwagung zwischen Einfachheit und Genauigkeit der Modelle. Danach wird verdeutlicht, wie aus der Schule bekannte mathematische Konzepte (wie Exponential- und Logarithmusfunktionen, Ableitungen, Gleichungssysteme, Abstandsmasse und Wahrscheinlichkeiten) zu kraftvollen Verfahren zur Loesung wirtschaftswissenschaftlicher Probleme werden. Das Buch moechte Studienanfangern und interessierten Schulerinnen und Schulern elementare Grundfertigkeiten und Motivation geben, sich mit Mathe im Anwendungsbereich der OEkonomie zu beschaftigen.

Mathematical Optimization Terminology: A Comprehensive Glossary of Terms is a practical book with the essential formulations, illustrative examples, real-world applications and main references on the topic. This book helps readers gain a more practical understanding of optimization, enabling them to apply it to their algorithms. This book also addresses the need for a practical publication that introduces these concepts and techniques.

This book provides a broad overview of project and project management principles, processes, and success/failure factors. It also provides a state of the art of applications of the project management concepts, especially in the field of construction projects, based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). The slate of geographically and professionally diverse authors illustrates project management as a multidisciplinary undertaking that integrates renewable and non-renewable resources in a systematic process to achieve project goals. The book describes assessment based on technical and operational goals and meeting schedules and budgets.

Optimization is an important tool used in decision science and for the analysis of physical systems used in engineering. One can trace its roots to the Calculus of Variations and the work of Euler and Lagrange. This natural and reasonable approach to mathematical programming covers numerical methods for finite-dimensional optimization problems. It begins with very simple ideas progressing through more complicated concepts, concentrating on methods for both unconstrained and constrained optimization.

Introduction to Nature-Inspired Optimization brings together many of the innovative mathematical methods for non-linear optimization that have their origins in the way various species behave in order to optimize their chances of survival. The book describes each method, examines their strengths and weaknesses, and where appropriate, provides the MATLAB code to give practical insight into the detailed structure of these methods and how they work. Nature-inspired algorithms emulate processes that are found in the natural world, spurring interest for optimization. Lindfield/Penny provide concise coverage to all the major algorithms, including genetic algorithms, artificial bee colony algorithms, ant colony optimization and the cuckoo search algorithm, among others. This book provides a quick reference to practicing engineers, researchers and graduate students who work in the field of optimization.

Many applications, including computer vision, computer arithmetic, deep learning, entanglement in quantum information, graph theory and energy networks, can be successfully tackled within the framework of polynomial optimization, an emerging field with growing research efforts in the last two decades. One key advantage of these techniques is their ability to model a wide range of problems using optimization formulations. Polynomial optimization heavily relies on the moment-sums of squares (moment-SOS) approach proposed by Lasserre, which provides certificates for positive polynomials. On the practical side, however, there is 'no free lunch' and such optimization methods usually encompass severe scalability issues. Fortunately, for many applications, including the ones formerly mentioned, we can look at the problem in the eyes and exploit the inherent data structure arising from the cost and constraints describing the problem.This book presents several research efforts to resolve this scientific challenge with important computational implications. It provides the development of alternative optimization schemes that scale well in terms of computational complexity, at least in some identified class of problems. It also features a unified modeling framework to handle a wide range of applications involving both commutative and noncommutative variables, and to solve concretely large-scale instances. Readers will find a practical section dedicated to the use of available open-source software libraries.This interdisciplinary monograph is essential reading for students, researchers and professionals interested in solving optimization problems with polynomial input data.

Robert J Aumann has received numerous prizes, including the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for 2005.With his 1976 paper, 'Agreeing to Disagree', Robert Aumann pioneered the subject of interactive epistemology: the study of what people know, and what they know about what others know. Since then, the discipline has burgeoned enormously. This book documents Aumann's work leading to the 1976 paper and his subsequent contributions to the discipline. The scientific controversies emanating from his work are also included.

Predictive Control is aimed at students wishing to learn predictive control, as well as teachers, engineers and technicians of the profession. The book proposes a simple predictive controller where the control laws are given in clear text that requires no calculations. Adjustment, reduced to one or two parameters, is particularly easy, by means of charts, thus allowing the operator to choose the horizon according to the desired performances. Implementation is discussed in detail in two forms: RS or RST controller in z-1, and pseudo-code realization algorithms for a complete program (model and controller). The book is simple and practical, with the aim of the industrial implementation of many processes: Broida models, Strejc, integrators, dual integrators, with delay, or with inverse response. All settings are abundantly illustrated with response curves.

This book introduces research presented at the International Conference on Distributed Computing and Optimization Techniques (ICDCOT-2021), a two-day conference, where researchers, engineers, and academicians from all over the world came together to share their experiences and findings on all aspects of distributed computing and its applications in diverse areas. The book includes papers on distributed computing, intelligent system, optimization method, mathematical modeling, fuzzy logic, neural networks, grid computing, load balancing, communication. It will be a valuable resource for students, academics, and practitioners in the industry working on distributed computing.

Das Buch vermittelt einen grundlegenden und praktischen Einstieg in die Lebensversicherungsmathematik. Es ist einerseits mathematisch stringent und andererseits praktisch anschaulich. Dadurch wird eine intuitive und sichere Einfuhrung in die versicherungsmathematische Analyse von klassischen Lebensversicherungsprodukten ermoeglicht. Eine Vielzahl praktischer Beispiele, Abbildungen und Anwendungen macht das Buch anschaulich und interessant. Mit der vorliegenden zweiten Auflage wurden eine grundliche UEberarbeitung sowie eine umfangreiche Erweiterung vorgenommen. Insbesondere wurden die einschlagigen Gesetzesnovellen fur die versicherungsmathematische Praxis berucksichtigt. Ausserdem wurden 90 Aufgaben mit Loesungen in das Buch aufgenommen.

For reasons both financial and environmental, there is a perpetual need to optimize the design and operating conditions of industrial process systems in order to improve their performance, energy efficiency, profitability, safety and reliability. However, with most chemical engineering application problems having many variables with complex inter-relationships, meeting these optimization objectives can be challenging. This is where Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) is useful to find the optimal trade-offs among two or more conflicting objectives.

This book provides an overview of the recent developments and applications of MOO for modeling, design and operation of chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, energy and related processes. It then covers important theoretical and computational developments as well as specific applications such as metabolic reaction networks, chromatographic systems, CO2 emissions targeting for petroleum refining units, ecodesign of chemical processes, ethanol purification and cumene process design.

"Multi-Objective Optimization in Chemical Engineering: Developments and Applications" is an invaluable resource for researchers and graduate students in chemical engineering as well as industrial practitioners and engineers involved in process design, modeling and optimization.

This self-contained book provides the reader with a comprehensive presentation of recent investigations on operator theory over non-Archimedean Banach and Hilbert spaces. This includes, non-archimedean valued fields, bounded and unbounded linear operators, bilinear forms, functions of linear operators and one-paramter families of bounded linear operators on free branch spaces.

DYNAMIC OPTIMIZATION AND DIFFERENTIAL GAMES has been written to address the increasing number of Operations Research and Management Science problems (that is, applications) that involve the explicit consideration of time and of gaming among multiple agents. It is a book that will be used both as a textbook and as a reference and guide to engineers, operation researchers, applied mathematicians and social scientists whose work involves the theoretical aspects of dynamic optimization and differential games. Included throughout the text are detailed explanations of several original dynamic and game-theoretic mathematical models, which are of particular relevance in todaya (TM)s technologically-driven-global economy: revenue management, supply chain management, electric power systems, urban freight systems, dynamic congestion pricing, dynamic traffic assignment, electronic commerce and the Internet. In addition, there will be some more traditional applications with useful pedagogical content included in Chapter 1.

The book combines an emphasis on deterministic models and methods along with an introduction to stochastic optimal control and stochastic differential games. And most important, the book covers both theory and applications. It develops the key results of deterministic, continuous time, optimal control theory from both the classical calculus of variations perspectives and the more modern approach of infinite dimensional mathematical programming. Infinite dimensional mathematical programming provides greater utility for solving continuous-time-differential-game problems.

The Joy of Finite Mathematics: The Language and Art of Math teaches students basic finite mathematics through a foundational understanding of the underlying symbolic language and its many dialects, including logic, set theory, combinatorics (counting), probability, statistics, geometry, algebra, and finance. Through detailed explanations of the concepts, step-by-step procedures, and clearly defined formulae, readers learn to apply math to subjects ranging from reason (logic) to finance (personal budget), making this interactive and engaging book appropriate for non-science, undergraduate students in the liberal arts, social sciences, finance, economics, and other humanities areas. The authors utilize important historical facts, pose interesting and relevant questions, and reference real-world events to challenge, inspire, and motivate students to learn the subject of mathematical thinking and its relevance. The book is based on the authors' experience teaching Liberal Arts Math and other courses to students of various backgrounds and majors, and is also appropriate for preparing students for Florida's CLAST exam or similar core requirements.

Cooperative Control of Multi-Agent Systems: An Optimal and Robust Perspective reports and encourages technology transfer in the field of cooperative control of multi-agent systems. The book deals with UGVs, UAVs, UUVs and spacecraft, and more. It presents an extended exposition of the authors' recent work on all aspects of multi-agent technology. Modelling and cooperative control of multi-agent systems are topics of great interest, across both academia (research and education) and industry (for real applications and end-users). Graduate students and researchers from a wide spectrum of specialties in electrical, mechanical or aerospace engineering fields will use this book as a key resource.

This textbook is addressed to PhD or senior undergraduate students in mathematics, with interests in analysis, calculus of variations, probability and optimal transport. It originated from the teaching experience of the first author in the Scuola Normale Superiore, where a course on optimal transport and its applications has been given many times during the last 20 years. The topics and the tools were chosen at a sufficiently general and advanced level so that the student or scholar interested in a more specific theme would gain from the book the necessary background to explore it. After a large and detailed introduction to classical theory, more specific attention is devoted to applications to geometric and functional inequalities and to partial differential equations.