Mathematics in Games, Sports, and Gambling: - The Games People Play [Hardcover]

Ronald J. Gould (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1439801630 | ISBN-13: 978-1439801635 | Edition: 1

With an emphasis on mathematical thinking and problem solving, Mathematics in Games, Sports, and Gambling — The Games People Play shows how discrete probability, statistics, and elementary discrete mathematics are used in games, sports, and gambling situations. It draws on numerous examples, questions, and problems to explain the application of mathematical theory to various real-life games.

Only requiring high school algebra, the text offers flexibility in choosing what material to cover in a basic mathematics course. It covers permutations in the two-deck matching game so derangements can be counted, introduces graphs to find matches when looking at extensions of the five-card trick, and studies lexicographic orderings and ideas of encoding for card tricks. The text also explores linear equations and weighted equations in the section on the NFL passer rating formula and presents graphing to show how data can be compared or displayed. For each topic, the author includes exercises based on real games and sports data.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A 2010 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title

…this volume is a wonderful reference for studying probability or statistics … Though this book might serve as the seed for the development of a new mathematics course at some institutions, this reviewer sees its greater value as a reference for mathematicians who are unfamiliar with the probabilities associated with gambling or applying statistics in sports.
—J.T. Noonan, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, CHOICE, Vol. 47, No. 9, May 2010

About the Author

Ronald J. Gould is the Goodrich C. White Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Emory University. The recipient of the Mathematical Association of America’s Southeastern Section Distinguished Teaching Award in 2008, Dr. Gould has authored more than 135 research papers and serves on the editorial board of several journals dealing with discrete mathematics.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 374 pages
• Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC; 1 edition (July 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439801630
• ISBN-13: 978-1439801635
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb intro to probability and problem-solving for gamblers, May 26, 2010

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Elihu D. Feustel "daringly" (South Bend, IN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mathematics in Games, Sports, and Gambling: - The Games People Play (Hardcover)

This book was originally intended to be a textbook for a college freshman mathematics seminar. The book states that you need high school algebra as a prerequisite for this book, and this is accurate. If the idea of graphing y=ax+b on paper seems easy, you have the background to read and appreciate this book.

I am amazed at how well written this book is. It explains some very serious topics in ways that are both interesting and understandable. I have never seen a serious book on mathematics that reads so easily. Nearly every topic covered is of interest to anyone interesting in sports betting or gambling. These topics include basic probability (including Bayesian probability), counting, binomial and Poisson distributions, analysis of data, "averages" and distributions, and combinatorics. Don't be intimidated by any of these topics if you have never heard of them -- they are each explained clearly with many interesting examples. What are the odds that a Nascar driver will have a flat tire during a race, or that a baseball player will have x hits in y at bats? What is Alex Rodriguez's true slugging average, with 99% confidence? How consistent is Pete Sampras's double-fault rate? There are numerous examples in different sports. Most of the examples and problems posed address "real-world" issues that team managers would worry about, or a casino actuary might consider.

In addition to the topics directly applicable to professional gamblers, there are a lot of other theoretical gaming topics that fall into the mix. This book provides an easy-to-read "toolbox" to solve all sorts of problems. If you are new to sports betting or gambling, and want to tackle problems yourself, this is a fantastic resource to get you started. If you have already studied probability, statistics and discrete/combinatorial mathematics, this won't offer anything new (other than interesting examples.)