COWLES FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH IN
ECONOMICS Box 208281
COWLES FOUNDATION DISCUSSION PAPER NO. 1866 What Is a Solution to a Matrix Game Martin Shubik July 2012 These notes are provided to describe many of the problems encountered
concerning both structure and behavior in specifying what is meant by the solution to a
game of strategy in matrix or strategic form. In the short term in particular, it is often
reasonable for the individual to accept as given, both the context in which decisions are
being made and the formal structure of the rules of the game. A solution is usually
considered as a complete set of equations of motion that when applied to the game at hand
selects a final outcome. There are many different theories and conjectures about how games
of strategy are, or should be played. Several of them are noted below. They are especially
relevant to the experimental gaming facility noted in the companion paper. |
