OCR Further Discrete Specimen — Question 4

Exam BoardOCR
ModuleFurther Discrete (Further Discrete)
SessionSpecimen
TopicGroups

4 The table shows the pay-off matrix for player \(A\) in a two-person zero-sum game between \(A\) and \(B\). Player \(A\)
Player \(B\)
Strategy \(X\)Strategy \(Y\)Strategy \(Z\)
Strategy \(P\)45- 4
Strategy \(Q\)3- 12
Strategy \(R\)402
  1. Find the play-safe strategy for player \(A\) and the play-safe strategy for player \(B\). Use the values of the play-safe strategies to determine whether the game is stable or unstable.
  2. If player \(B\) knows that player \(A\) will use their play-safe strategy, which strategy should player \(B\) use?
  3. Suppose that the value in the cell where both players use their play-safe strategies can be changed, but all other entries are unchanged. Show that there is no way to change this value that would make the game stable.
  4. Suppose, instead, that the value in one cell can be changed, but all other entries are unchanged, so that the game becomes stable. Identify a suitable cell and write down a new pay-off value for that cell which would make the game stable.
  5. Show that the zero-sum game in the table above has a Nash equilibrium and explain what this means for the players.