About this course: This course will cover the mathematical theory and analysis of simple games without chance moves.
Created by: Georgia Institute of Technology
Taught by: Dr. Tom Morley, Professor
School of Mathematics
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Week 1: What is a Combinatorial Game?
Hello and welcome to Games Without Chance: Combinatorial Game Theory! The topic for this first week is Let's play a game: Students will learn what a combinatorial game is, and play simple games.
4 videos, 10 readings
- Reading: Start Here
- Reading: Consent Form
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: Course Logistics
- Reading: About The Instructor
- Reading: Get More From Georgia Tech
- Reading: Start Here (Week 1)
- Reading: Game Rules
- Video: Introduction to Two Players Left and Right
- Video: What is a Combinatorial Game?
- Video: Example Problem
- Video: Example Problem Solution
- Reading: Week 1 Lecture Slides
- Reading: Extra Problems
WEEK 2
Week 2: Playing Multiple Games
The topics for this second week is Playing several games at once, adding games, the negative of a game. Student will be able to add simple games and analyze them.
5 videos, 5 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Start Here (Week 2)
- Reading: Game Rules
- Video: Cutcake and Adding Games
- Video: The 0 Game
- Video: Adding Games
- Reading: Week 2 Lecture Slides
- Video: Quiz Problems
- Video: Week 2 Quiz Review
- Reading: Earn a Georgia Tech Badge/Certificate/CEUs
- Reading: Extra Problems
- Practice Quiz: Mid-Course Survey 1
Graded: Quiz Week 2
WEEK 3
Week 3: Comparing Games
The topics for this third week is Comparing games. Students will determine the outcome of simple sums of games using inequalities.
6 videos, 5 readings
- Reading: Start Here (Week 3)
- Reading: Game Rules
- Video: Ordering Games
- Video: Example and a Problem
- Video: Problem Solution
- Video: Ski Jumps
- Video: Games That Are Not Numbers
- Reading: Week 3 Lecture Slides
- Video: Proof and Quiz
- Reading: Week 3 Quiz Solutions
- Reading: Extra Problems
Graded: Quiz Week 3
WEEK 4
Week 4: Numbers and Games
The topics for this fourth week is Simplicity and numbers. How to play win numbers. Students will be able to determine which games are numbers and if so what numbers they are.
5 videos, 5 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Start Here (Week 4)
- Reading: Game Rules
- Video: Some Numbers Are Games
- Video: Some Games Are Numbers
- Video: Simplicity
- Video: More Numbers
- Reading: Week 4 Lecture Slides
- Video: Quiz Preview
- Reading: Week 4 Quiz Solutions
- Reading: Extra Problems
- Practice Quiz: Mid-Course Survey 2
Graded: Quiz 4
WEEK 5
Week 5: Simplifying Games
The topics for this fifth week is Simplifying games: Dominating moves, reversible moves. Students will be able to simplify simple games.
4 videos, 5 readings
- Reading: Start Here (Week 5)
- Reading: Game Rules
- Video: New Ways of Simplifying Games
- Video: Examples From Nim
- Video: General Reversible
- Video: Toads and Frogs
- Reading: Week 5 Lecture Slides
- Reading: Week 5 Quiz Solutions
- Reading: Extra Problems
Graded: Quiz 5
WEEK 6
Week 6: Impartial Games
The topics for this sixth week is Nim: Students will be able to play and analyze impartial games.
4 videos, 5 readings
- Reading: Start Here (Week 6)
- Reading: Game Rules
- Video: Nim and How to Win
- Video: Impartial Games, Reversible Moves
- Video: Examples, Mex
- Video: All Impartial Games Are Equivalent to Nim
- Reading: Week 6 Lecture Slides
- Reading: Week 6 Quiz Solutions
- Reading: Extra Problems
Graded: Quiz 6
WEEK 7
Week 7: What You Can Do From Here
The topic for this seventh and final week is Where to go from here.
4 videos, 4 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: Start Here (Week 7)
- Reading: Game Rules
- Video: Infinite Games
- Video: Loopy Games
- Video: Mean Values, Hot, Cold, Sente, Gote
- Video: Atomic Weights
- Reading: Week 7 Lecture Slides
- Reading: Week 7 Quiz Solutions
- Practice Quiz: Final Week Survey
Graded: Bonus Quiz
Resources
1 reading
- Reading: Game Rules
FAQs
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Creators
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the nation's top research universities, distinguished by its commitment to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology.
Georgia Tech's campus occupies 400 acres in the heart of the city of Atlanta, where more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students receive a focused, technologically based education.
Ratings and Reviews
Excellent instructor and clear explanations.
Awesome
Likes the course & Tom Morley's presentation.
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