THE GAMES THAT POPULATIONS PLAY
Suppose that game theory is applied in explaining the phenomenon of gender ratio in the population. Why is the ratio of males to females in human (or animal) populations 50:50? Game theory phrases the answer to this question as follows: the ratio 50:50 is an evolutionarily stable strategy or ESS. An ESS is related to an outcome which best serves the decision maker in the midst of uncertainty. Consider a game described by the following:
- Male-to-female ratio is ρ:1−ρ, where 0≤ρ≤1
- All females only mate once in their lifetime; consequently engender n offspring
- Males are polygamous and mate, on average, with 1−ρρ distinct females in their lifetime
- Females are the ``decision makers;" either D1: all offpsring are males; or D2: all offspring are females
The payoff π(D1) arises because all of the n male offspring will mate with (1−ρ)/ρ distinct females (on average) and engendering n offpsrings in each mating. On the other hand, π(D2) arises because all n female offpsring would each give birth to n offspring in their lifetime. Finally, game theory prescribes that the payoff of the general strategy σ can be written as follows: π(σ,x)=p⋅π(D1,x)+(1−p)⋅π(D2,x)=pn21−ρρ+(1−p)n2=n2[(1−2ρρ)p+1]
The ESS, by its very definition, should correspond to the value of p that results to the highest possible π(σ,x) given ρ. From the above result, three cases can be enumerated:
- If ρ<12, then (1−2ρ)/ρ>0 so that p=1 yields the highest possible value for π(σ,x)
- If ρ>12, then (1−2ρ)/ρ<0 so that p=0 yields the highest possible value for π(σ,x)
- If ρ=12, then (1−2ρ)/ρ=0 so that any value of p yields the highest possible value for π(σ,x)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dranreb Earl Juanico is an Assistant Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University. He obtained his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Physics at the University of the Philippines in 2002, 2004 and 2007, respectively.
OLYMPIAD CORNER
from the 57th Belarusian Mathematical Olympiad
Problem: Let O be the intersection point of the diagonals of the convex quadrilateral ABCD, AO=CO. Points P and Q are marked on the segments AO and CO, respectively, so that PO=OQ. Let N and K be the intersection points of the sides AB, CD and lines DP, BQ respectively. Prove that the points N, O, K are collinear.
Draw NM||KL||AC. Let a=BO, b=DO, c=PO=OQ, l=AO=OC, x=KL, u=OL, y=NM, v=OM.
Since ΔBOQ∼ΔBLK, it follows that xc=a+ua=1+ua
Solution:
Draw NM||KL||AC. Let a=BO, b=DO, c=PO=OQ, l=AO=OC, x=KL, u=OL, y=NM, v=OM.
Since ΔBOQ∼ΔBLK, it follows that xc=a+ua=1+ua
Furthermore, since ΔDOC∼ΔDLK, then xl=b−ub=1−ub
Therefore x(1c−1l)=u(1a+1b)⇒xu=a+bab⋅cll−c
By a similar argument, we also obtain yv=a+bab⋅cll−c
Since xu=yv, and ∠NMO=∠KLO, then ΔONM∼ΔOKL. This implies that ∠NOM=∠KOL, which makes them vertical angles. Therefore, the points N, O and K must be collinear.
PROBLEMS
- If a1=1 and an+1=11+1an,n=1,2,…,2011,find the value of a1a2+a2a3+a3a4+…+a2011a2012.
- One commercially available ten-button lock may be opened by depressing - in any order - the correct five buttons. Suppose that these locks are redesigned so that sets of as many as nine buttons or as few as one button could serve as combinations. How many additional combinations should this allow?
- Let a, b and c be three distinct positive integers. Show that among the numbers a5b−ab5,b5c−bc5,c5a−ca5,there must be one that is divisible by 8.
We welcome readers to submit solutions to the problems posed below for
publication consideration. Solutions must be preceded by the solver's
name, school affiliation and year level. The deadline for submission is
February 4, 2012.
SOLUTIONS
(for January 14 and 21, 2012)
- AB is a chord in a circle with center O and radius 52 cm. The point M divides the chord AB such that AM=63 cm and MB=33 cm. Find the length of OM in cm. (Singapore Secondary Schools Mathematical Olympiads for Junior Section, 2003)
(solved by Emman Joshua B. Busto [PSHS - Main] and Dianne S. Garcia [AA])SOLUTION: - If a and b are positive real numbers such that a+b=1, prove that (a+1a)2+(b+1b)2≥252.(Taken from A Primer for Mathematics Competitions by Hitchcock and Zawaira)SOLUTION:Note that (a+1a)2+(b+1b)2=a2+1a2+b2+1b2+4=(a+b)2−2ab+(1a+1b)2−2ab+4=1−2ab+1−2ab(ab)2+4.Furthermore, by the AM-GM inequality we have ab≤(a+b2)2=14.Since a and b are positive real numbers, the second inequality yields the following: ab≤14⇒−2ab≥−12,ab≤14⇒1(ab)2≥16.Thus, we have, (a+1a)2+(b+1b)2≥1−12+(1−12)16+4=252.
- For any non-negative integers m,n,p, prove that the polynomial x3m+x3n+1+x3p+2 has the factor x2+x+1. (Taken from Lecture Notes on Mathematical Olympiad Courses by Xu Jiagu)SOLUTION:Consider f(y)=ym−1. Since f(1)=0, we have ym−1=(y−1)q(y). Taking y=x3, we have x3m−1=(x3)m−1=(x3−1)q(x3)=(x−1)(x2+x+1)q(x3).Also, x3n+1−x=x(x3n−1),x3p+2−x2=x2(x3p−1),implying that all of these terms have a factor of x2+x+1. Taking them together, we now have x3m+x3n+1+x3p+2=(x3m−1)+(x3n+1−x)+(x3p+2−x2)+(x2+x+1),showing that the polynomial does have a factor of x2+x+1.
- Let T be a triangle of perimeter 2, and a, b, c be the lengths of its three sides. Prove that abc+2827≥ab+bc+ca and abc+1≤ab+bc+ca.(Ireland Mathematical Olympiad, 2003)SOLUTION:Since a+b+c=2 then 0<a,b,c<1 hence 0<(1−a)(1−b)(1−c)≤(1−a+1−b+1−c3)3=1270<1−(a+b+c)+(ab+bc+ca)−abc≤1270<(ab+bc+ca)−1−abc≤127,and thus both inequalities are shown to be true.
- If a, b are two different positive integers, and the two quadratic equations (a−1)x2−(a2+2)x+(a2+2a)=0,(b−1)x2−(b2+2)x+(b2+2b)=0have one common root, find the value of ab+baa−b+b−a.(China Mathematical Competition for Primary Schools, 2003)SOLUTION:We can deduce that a,b>1 where a≠b. Let r be the common root. We have (a−1)r2−(a2+2)r+(a2+2a)=0,(b−1)r2−(b2+2)r+(b2+2b)=0,where r≠1, since otherwise a=b=1, a contradiction.
Using the two equations, we eliminate x2 and simplify to obtain (a−b)(ab−a−b−2)(r−1)=0,where a−b≠0 and r≠1, thus implying ab−a−b−2=0. Since this equation (and the final equation we are considering) is symmetric, we can assume a>b>1 without loss of generality. Then b=1+ba+2a≤3, so b=2,a=4.
From there, ab+baa−b+b−a=(ab+ba)abbaab+ba=abba=256. - In the convex quadrilateral ABCD, the midpoints of BC and AD are E and F respectively. Prove that [EDA]+[FBC]=[ABCD], where [] denotes the area of the region enclosed by the specified points. (IMO Shortlist, 1989)SOLUTION:
Suppose that AE and BF intersect at Q and CF and DE intersect at P. Then it is sufficient to show that [FQEP]=[ABQ]+[DPC]. Let h1, h2 and h3 denote the heights of triangles ABE, FBC and DEC respectively, giving us h2=12(h1+h3). Thus [FQEP]+[BEQ]+[ECP]=[FBC]=12h2BC=14(h1+h3)BC=14h1(2BE)+14h3(2EC)=([ABQ]+[BEQ])+([DPC]+[ECP]),which gives us the desired equality.