OCR Further Discrete AS 2019 June — Question 6 12 marks

Exam BoardOCR
ModuleFurther Discrete AS (Further Discrete AS)
Year2019
SessionJune
Marks12
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicLinear Programming
TypeGame theory LP formulation
DifficultyChallenging +1.2 This is a standard game theory question requiring conversion to zero-sum form (subtract Emma's payoffs from Drew's), then solving for mixed strategies using either linear programming or graphical methods. While it involves multiple steps and careful arithmetic, the techniques are routine for Further Maths students who have studied this topic, with no novel problem-solving required beyond applying the standard algorithm.
Spec7.08a Pay-off matrix: zero-sum games7.08b Dominance: reduce pay-off matrix7.08e Mixed strategies: optimal strategy using equations or graphical method

6 Drew and Emma play a game in which they each choose a strategy and then use the tables below to determine the pay-off that each receives.
Drew's pay-offEmma
XYZ
\cline { 2 - 5 } \multirow{2}{*}{Drew}P31411
Q1247
R1146
Emma's pay-offEmma
XYZ
\cline { 2 - 5 } \multirow{3}{*}{Drew}P1325
Q4129
R51210
  1. Convert the game into a zero-sum game, giving the pay-off matrix for Drew.
  2. Determine the optimal mixed strategy for Drew.
  3. Determine the optimal mixed strategy for Emma.

Question 6:
Part (a)
AnswerMarks Guidance
Total pay-off is 16, subtract 8 from each pay-offM1 [1.1] Converting to zero-sum, or implied from total = 16 (for each cell) or from working; Each player puts 8 into 'pot'; May use differences
Pay-off matrix for Drew all correct (or a positive multiple of this): Drew P: \(-5, 6, 3\); Q: \(4, -4, -1\); R: \(3, -4, -2\)A1 [1.1]
Part (b)
AnswerMarks Guidance
Strategy Q (weakly) dominates strategy R so matrix can be reducedM1 [1.1] Identifying dominance; Row (from their zero-sum table) removed by dominance; If an A-level candidate chooses to use simplex — see guidance
Reduced matrix: Drew P: \(-5, 6, 3\); Q: \(4, -4, -1\)
Let Drew choose randomly between P and Q so that the probability of P is \(p\) and the probability of Q is \(1-p\)A1 [2.1] Describing (prob of) \(P = p\) and (prob of) \(Q = 1 - p\), or equivalent, in terms of one variable only
If Emma plays X, Drew expects \(-5p + 4(1-p)\); If Emma plays Y, Drew expects \(6p - 4(1-p)\); If Emma plays Z, Drew expects \(3p - (1-p)\)B1 [1.1] All three correct (in any form) for the values in their \(2 \times 3\) reduced table; Or implied from graph if no expressions are given
\(4 - 9p = 10p - 4\)M1 [1.1] Solving simultaneous equations when \(X = Y\)
\(p = \frac{8}{19}\)
P with probability \(\frac{8}{19}\) and Q with probability \(\frac{11}{19}\)A1 [2.1] Both probabilities correct in context
Part (c)
AnswerMarks Guidance
From graph, if Drew plays optimally then Emma should not choose ZM1 [2.2a] Or equivalent
Let Emma choose randomly between X and Y so that the probability of X is \(x\) and the probability of Y is \(1 - x\)A1 [2.1] Description including symbols used for probabilities (one unknown only)
\(5x - 6(1-x) = -4x + 4(1-x)\) or \(= -\frac{4}{19}\)B1 [1.1] Pay-offs for Emma are \(\times(-1)\)
Valid methodM1 [1.1]
X with probability \(\frac{10}{19}\) and Y with probability \(\frac{9}{19}\)A1 [2.1] Either probability correct
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# Question 6:

## Part (a)
Total pay-off is 16, subtract 8 from each pay-off | **M1** [1.1] | Converting to zero-sum, or implied from total = 16 (for each cell) or from working; Each player puts 8 into 'pot'; May use differences
Pay-off matrix for Drew all correct (or a positive multiple of this): Drew P: $-5, 6, 3$; Q: $4, -4, -1$; R: $3, -4, -2$ | **A1** [1.1] |

## Part (b)
Strategy Q (weakly) dominates strategy R so matrix can be reduced | **M1** [1.1] | Identifying dominance; Row (from their zero-sum table) removed by dominance; If an A-level candidate chooses to use simplex — see guidance
Reduced matrix: Drew P: $-5, 6, 3$; Q: $4, -4, -1$ | | |
Let Drew choose randomly between P and Q so that the probability of P is $p$ and the probability of Q is $1-p$ | **A1** [2.1] | Describing (prob of) $P = p$ and (prob of) $Q = 1 - p$, or equivalent, in terms of one variable only
If Emma plays X, Drew expects $-5p + 4(1-p)$; If Emma plays Y, Drew expects $6p - 4(1-p)$; If Emma plays Z, Drew expects $3p - (1-p)$ | **B1** [1.1] | All three correct (in any form) for the values in their $2 \times 3$ reduced table; Or implied from graph if no expressions are given
$4 - 9p = 10p - 4$ | **M1** [1.1] | Solving simultaneous equations when $X = Y$
$p = \frac{8}{19}$ | | |
P with probability $\frac{8}{19}$ and Q with probability $\frac{11}{19}$ | **A1** [2.1] | Both probabilities correct in context

## Part (c)
From graph, if Drew plays optimally then Emma should not choose Z | **M1** [2.2a] | Or equivalent
Let Emma choose randomly between X and Y so that the probability of X is $x$ and the probability of Y is $1 - x$ | **A1** [2.1] | Description including symbols used for probabilities (one unknown only)
$5x - 6(1-x) = -4x + 4(1-x)$ or $= -\frac{4}{19}$ | **B1** [1.1] | Pay-offs for Emma are $\times(-1)$
Valid method | **M1** [1.1] |
X with probability $\frac{10}{19}$ and Y with probability $\frac{9}{19}$ | **A1** [2.1] | Either probability correct

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**There is no mark scheme content on this page to extract.**

Could you please share the actual mark scheme pages containing the questions, answers, mark allocations and guidance notes? Those would typically appear earlier in the document.
6 Drew and Emma play a game in which they each choose a strategy and then use the tables below to determine the pay-off that each receives.

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ c c | c c c }
\multicolumn{2}{c}{Drew's pay-off} & \multicolumn{3}{c}{Emma} \\
 &  & X & Y & Z \\
\cline { 2 - 5 }
\multirow{2}{*}{Drew} & P & 3 & 14 & 11 \\
 & Q & 12 & 4 & 7 \\
 & R & 11 & 4 & 6 \\
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ l c | c c c }
\multicolumn{2}{c}{Emma's pay-off} & \multicolumn{3}{c}{Emma} \\
 &  & X & Y & Z \\
\cline { 2 - 5 }
\multirow{3}{*}{Drew} & P & 13 & 2 & 5 \\
 & Q & 4 & 12 & 9 \\
 & R & 5 & 12 & 10 \\
\end{tabular}
\end{center}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Convert the game into a zero-sum game, giving the pay-off matrix for Drew.
\item Determine the optimal mixed strategy for Drew.
\item Determine the optimal mixed strategy for Emma.
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR Further Discrete AS 2019 Q6 [12]}}