Playing Games *
Areas of Science |
Pure Mathematics |
Difficulty | |
Time Required | Average (6-10 days) |
*Note:
For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.
If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.
If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.
Abstract
Almost all of the games we play are based on math in some way or another. Card games, board games, and computer games are designed using statistics, probabilities, and algorithms. Begin by reading about games and game theory. Then you can choose your favorite game and investigate the mathematical principles behind how it works. Can combinatorial game theory help you to win two-player games of perfect knowledge such as go, chess, or checkers? (Weisstein, 2006; Watkins, 2004) In a multi-player game like Dots and Boxes, does the first player have an advantage? Can you formulate a winning strategy against an opponent? In single-player games can you beat the game with an algorithm? Can you invent your own game using mathematical concepts? Can you describe the math behind traditional or cultural games? Artificial Intelligence: Teaching the Computer to Play Tic-Tac-ToeShare your story with Science Buddies!

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General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.MLA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
"Playing Games." Science Buddies,
23 Mar. 2018,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Math_p033/pure-mathematics/playing-games?class=AQVOs9m1W3e9zvYm4LoCnn6sgE0L9xz3ZQxXH7Xwngg_NSZl26DXyAPWBXRj_6iH63IyTI7GRwHrw9N0hEydfTxLFZg9B2n0s1Trp3anqYr_XQ.
Accessed 16 Dec. 2019.
APA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
(2018, March 23).
Playing Games.
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Math_p033/pure-mathematics/playing-games?class=AQVOs9m1W3e9zvYm4LoCnn6sgE0L9xz3ZQxXH7Xwngg_NSZl26DXyAPWBXRj_6iH63IyTI7GRwHrw9N0hEydfTxLFZg9B2n0s1Trp3anqYr_XQ
Last edit date: 2018-03-23
Bibliography
- Watkins, J., 2004. Across the Board: The Mathematics of Chessboard Problems. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
- Weisstein, E.W., 2006 "Games." From MathWorld—A Wolfram Web Resource. [accessed: 5/1/06] http://mathworld.wolfram.com/topics/Games.html
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Experimental Procedure
For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.
Share your story with Science Buddies!

Ask an Expert
The Ask an Expert Forum is intended to be a place where students can go to find answers to science questions that they have been unable to find using other resources. If you have specific questions about your science fair project or science fair, our team of volunteer scientists can help. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot.Ask an Expert
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Note: A computerized matching algorithm suggests the above articles. It's not as smart as you are, and it may occasionally give humorous, ridiculous, or even annoying results! Learn more about the News Feed
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