Mathematical game
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A mathematical game is a game whose rules, strategies, and outcomes are defined by precise mathematical rules, strategies, and measurable outcomes[1].[2][verification needed] Often, such games have simple rules and match procedures, such as tic-tac-toe and dots and boxes. Generally, mathematical games need not be conceptually intricate to involve deeper computational underpinnings. For example, even though the rules of Mancala are relatively basic, the game can be rigorously analyzed through the lens of combinatorial game theory.[3]
Mathematical games differ sharply from mathematical puzzles in that mathematical puzzles require specific mathematical expertise to complete, whereas mathematical games do not require a deep knowledge of mathematics to play. Often, the arithmetic core of mathematical games is not readily apparent to players untrained to note the statistical or mathematical aspects.[4]
Some mathematical games are of deep interest in the field of recreational mathematics[5].[6]
When studying a game's core mathematics, arithmetic theory is generally of higher utility than actively playing or observing the game itself. To analyze a game numerically, it is particularly useful to study the rules of the game insofar as they can yield equations or relevant formulas. This is frequently done to determine winning strategies or to distinguish if the game has a solution.[7][8]
Additionally, mathematical games can aid children in grasping fundamental concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication,[9] and division, enhancing their arithmetic skills in an engaging manner.
List of games
Sometimes it is not immediately obvious that a particular game involves chance. Often a card game is described as "pure strategy" and such, but a game with any sort of random shuffling or face-down dealing of cards should not be considered to be "no chance". Several abstract strategy games are listed below:
Lattice board
- Angels and Devils
- Arimaa
- Checkers (English draughts)
- Chess
- Chomp
- Dodgem
- Domineering
- Dots and boxes
- Go
- Gomoku
- Hex
- Hexapawn
- L game
- Othello
- Pente
- Philosopher's football
- Rhythmomachy
- Tak
- Tic-tac-toe
Non-lattice boards and other games
Chance involved or imperfect information
See also
References
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- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Game theory | Definition, Facts, & Examples | Britannica". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 2026-02-28. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Games, theory of - Encyclopedia of Mathematics". encyclopediaofmath.org. Archived from the original on 2020-07-16. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Combinatorial Game Theory". ics.uci.edu. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Mathematical puzzles | Mathematics | Research Starters | EBSCO Research". EBSCO. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Mathematical games". Maths History. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Sumpter, Lovisa (January 2015). "Recreational Mathematics – Only For Fun?". Journal of Humanistic Mathematics. 5 (1): 121–138. doi:10.5642/jhummath.201501.07. S2CID 16590762. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Game theory | Definition, Facts, & Examples | Britannica". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 2026-02-28. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Game Theory | World of Mathematics". Mathigon. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Easy Multiplication". Play123. 7 September 2023.
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