Quantitative Literacy Through Games and Gambling

Quantitative Literacy Through Games and Gambling
Author: Mark Hunacek
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2024-10-04
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9781032633923
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This book was developed to address a need. Quantitative Literacy courses have been established in the mathematics curriculum for decades now. The students in these courses typically dislike and fear mathematics, and the result is often a class populated by many students that are unmotivated and uninterested in the material. This book is a text for such a course; however, it is focused on a single idea that most students seem to already have some intrinsic interest in and is written at an accessible level. It covers the basic ideas of discrete probability and shows how these ideas can be applied to familiar games (roulette, poker, blackjack, etc.) The gambling material is interweaved through the book, introduced as soon as the necessary mathematics has been developed. Throughout, mathematical formalism and symbolism have been avoided, and numerous examples are provided. The book starts with a simple definition of probability, goes through some basic concepts like combining events and expected value, and then discusses some elementary mathematical aspects of various games. Roulette is introduced very early on, as is the game of craps, which requires some knowledge of conditional probability. Other games like poker, blackjack and lotteries, whose study requires some rudimentary combinatorics come shortly thereafter. The book ends with a brief introduction to zero-sum games, with some attention paid to the use of these ideas in studying bluffing. In addition to discussion of these traditional games, the author motivates probability by talking about a few applications in legal proceedings which illustrate how mathematics has been misused in the courtroom. There is also a discussion of the Monty Hall problem, a non-intuitive result in probability that has an interesting and colorful history. Hopefully, students studying from this text will find mathematics is not as horrible as he or she has always thought and offers some interesting applications in the real world. This should perhaps be the goal of any quantitative literacy course.

Quantitative Literacy Through Games and Gambling

Quantitative Literacy Through Games and Gambling
Author: Mark Hunacek
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 120
Release: 2024-10-04
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 1040131212
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This book was developed to address a need. Quantitative Literacy courses have been established in the mathematics curriculum for decades now. The students in these courses typically dislike and fear mathematics, and the result is often a class populated by many students who are unmotivated and uninterested in the material. This book is a text for such a course; however, it is focused on a single idea that most students seem to already have some intrinsic interest in and is written at an accessible level. It covers the basic ideas of discrete probability and shows how these ideas can be applied to familiar games (roulette, poker, blackjack, etc.). The gambling material is interweaved through the book and introduced as soon as the necessary mathematics has been developed. Throughout, mathematical formalism and symbolism have been avoided, and numerous examples are provided. The book starts with a simple definition of probability, goes through some basic concepts like combining events and expected value, and then discusses some elementary mathematical aspects of various games. Roulette is introduced very early on, as is the game of craps, which requires some knowledge of conditional probability. Other games like poker, blackjack, and lotteries, whose study requires some rudimentary combinatorics, come shortly thereafter. The book ends with a brief introduction to zero-sum games, with some attention paid to the use of these ideas in studying bluffing. In addition to discussion of these traditional games, the author motivates probability by talking about a few applications in legal proceedings that illustrate how mathematics has been misused in the courtroom. There is also a discussion of the Monty Hall problem, a nonintuitive result in probability that has an interesting and colorful history. Hopefully, students studying from this text will find that mathematics is not as horrible as they have always thought and offers some interesting applications in the real world. This should perhaps be the goal of any quantitative literacy course.

Probability, Decisions and Games

Probability, Decisions and Games
Author: Abel Rodríguez
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2018-03-21
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 1119302625
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Introduces the fundamentals of probability, statistics, decision theory, and game theory, and features interesting examples of games of chance and strategy to motivate and illustrate abstract mathematical concepts Covering both random and strategic games, Probability, Decisions and Games features a variety of gaming and gambling examples to build a better understanding of basic concepts of probability, statistics, decision theory, and game theory. The authors present fundamental concepts such as random variables, rational choice theory, mathematical expectation and variance, fair games, combinatorial calculus, conditional probability, Bayes Theorem, Bernoulli trials, zero-sum games and Nash equilibria, as well as their application in games such as Roulette, Craps, Lotto, Blackjack, Poker, Rock-Paper-Scissors, the Game of Chicken and Tic-Tac-Toe. Computer simulations, implemented using the popular R computing environment, are used to provide intuition on key concepts and verify complex calculations. The book starts by introducing simple concepts that are carefully motivated by the same historical examples that drove their original development of the field of probability, and then applies those concepts to popular contemporary games. The first two chapters of Probability, Decisions and Games: A Gentle Introduction using R feature an introductory discussion of probability and rational choice theory in finite and discrete spaces that builds upon the simple games discussed in the famous correspondence between Blaise Pascal and Pierre de Fermat. Subsequent chapters utilize popular casino games such as Roulette and Blackjack to expand on these concepts illustrate modern applications of these methodologies. Finally, the book concludes with discussions on game theory using a number of strategic games. This book: Features introductory coverage of probability, statistics, decision theory and game theory, and has been class-tested at University of California, Santa Cruz for the past six years Illustrates basic concepts in probability through interesting and fun examples using a number of popular casino games: roulette, lotto, craps, blackjack, and poker Introduces key ideas in game theory using classic games such as Rock-Paper-Scissors, Chess, and Tic-Tac-Toe. Features computer simulations using R throughout in order to illustrate complex concepts and help readers verify complex calculations Contains exercises and approaches games and gambling at a level that is accessible for readers with minimal experience Adopts a unique approach by motivating complex concepts using first simple games and then moving on to more complex, well-known games that illustrate how these concepts work together Probability, Decisions and Games: A Gentle Introduction using R is a unique and helpful textbook for undergraduate courses on statistical reasoning, introduction to probability, statistical literacy, and quantitative reasoning for students from a variety of disciplines.

Health Technology Literacy

Health Technology Literacy
Author: Maryalice Jordan-Marsh
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning
Total Pages: 459
Release: 2010-09-03
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0763758485
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Health Technology Literacy: A Transdisciplinary Framework for Consumer-Oriented Practice examines the wide range of resources used by health consumers to inform, support decision-making, self-monitor, build supportive social networks online or via cell phone, and engage in treatment using interactive programs online or on CD or related media. Using evidence-based practice and relevant theories, this unique text analyzes the trend for health care systems to be reactive, while consumers are proactive for health technology.

The Mathematics of Games and Gambling

The Mathematics of Games and Gambling
Author: Edward Packel
Publisher: American Mathematical Society
Total Pages: 174
Release: 2022-01-19
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 147046862X
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The first edition of this book was reprinted eight times. This book introduces and develops some of the important and beautiful elementary mathematics needed for rational analysis of various gambling and game activities. Most of the standard casino games (roulette, blackjack, keno), some social games (backgammon, poker, bridge) and various other activities (state lotteries, horse racing, etc.) are treated in ways that bring out their mathematical aspects. The mathematics developed ranges from the predictable concepts of probability, expectation, and binomial coefficients to some less well-known ideas of elementary game theory. The second edition includes new material on: sports betting and the mathematics behind it; Game theory applied to bluffing in poker and related to the Texas Holdem phenomenon; The Nash equilibrium concept and its emergence in the popular culture; Internet links to games and to Java applets for practice and classroom use. The only formal mathematics background the reader needs is some facility with high school algebra. Game-related exercises are included at the end of most chapters for readers interested in working with and expanding ideas treated in the text. Solutions to some of the exercises appear at the end of the book.

Loose-leaf Version for Quantitative Literacy

Loose-leaf Version for Quantitative Literacy
Author: Bruce Crauder
Publisher: Macmillan Higher Education
Total Pages: 739
Release: 2014-12-26
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 146412552X
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"I finally understand why I need to learn some math!" says a student after finishing a course that used Quantitative Literacy. That enthusiastic response gets to the heart of how this remarkable textbook works. Quantitative Literacy shows students that they use math in their everyday lives more than they realize, and that learning math in real-world contexts not only makes it easier to get better grades, but prepares them for decisions they’ll face about money, voting and politics, health issues, and much more. The authors draw on a wide range of examples to give students basic mathematical tools— from sports to personal finance to sociopolitical action to medical tests to the arts—with coverage that neatly balances discussions of ideas with computational practice.

Games, Gambling, and Probability

Games, Gambling, and Probability
Author: David G. Taylor
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 516
Release: 2021-06-22
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 1000400204
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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.

Teaching Mathematics Through Games

Teaching Mathematics Through Games
Author: Mindy Capaldi
Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2021-05-18
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1470462842
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Active engagement is the key to learning. You want your students doing something that stimulates them to ask questions and creates a need to know. Teaching Mathematics Through Games presents a variety of classroom-tested exercises and activities that provoke the active learning and curiosity that you hope to promote. These games run the gamut from well-known favorites like SET and Settlers of Catan to original games involving simulating structural inequality in New York or playing Battleship with functions. The book contains activities suitable for a wide variety of college mathematics courses, including general education courses, math for elementary education, probability, calculus, linear algebra, history of math, and proof-based mathematics. Some chapter activities are short term, such as a drop-in lesson for a day, and some are longer, including semester-long projects. All have been tested, refined, and include extensive implementation notes.

Current Practices in Quantitative Literacy

Current Practices in Quantitative Literacy
Author: Rick Gillman
Publisher: MAA
Total Pages: 200
Release: 2006
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0883851806
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Presents a wide sampling of efforts being made on campuses across the country to achieve our common goal of having a quantitatively literate citizenry.