What is the (finite) maximum number of Nash equilibria in a 2x2 game?











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I think the answer should be 3: 2 pure and 1 mixed. But that is just because I fail to construct more for at least 3 hours. I don't know how to prove this, there are just too many variables. Am I right? If yes, how would I go about proving it?










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  • Your answer is correct if you assume no ties in a player's payoffs.
    – mlc
    Nov 17 at 22:06










  • What do you mean by that? I want to consider all 2x2 games.
    – SlowerPhoton
    Nov 17 at 23:46















up vote
0
down vote

favorite












I think the answer should be 3: 2 pure and 1 mixed. But that is just because I fail to construct more for at least 3 hours. I don't know how to prove this, there are just too many variables. Am I right? If yes, how would I go about proving it?










share|cite|improve this question






















  • Your answer is correct if you assume no ties in a player's payoffs.
    – mlc
    Nov 17 at 22:06










  • What do you mean by that? I want to consider all 2x2 games.
    – SlowerPhoton
    Nov 17 at 23:46













up vote
0
down vote

favorite









up vote
0
down vote

favorite











I think the answer should be 3: 2 pure and 1 mixed. But that is just because I fail to construct more for at least 3 hours. I don't know how to prove this, there are just too many variables. Am I right? If yes, how would I go about proving it?










share|cite|improve this question













I think the answer should be 3: 2 pure and 1 mixed. But that is just because I fail to construct more for at least 3 hours. I don't know how to prove this, there are just too many variables. Am I right? If yes, how would I go about proving it?







game-theory nash-equilibrium






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asked Nov 17 at 18:53









SlowerPhoton

371111




371111












  • Your answer is correct if you assume no ties in a player's payoffs.
    – mlc
    Nov 17 at 22:06










  • What do you mean by that? I want to consider all 2x2 games.
    – SlowerPhoton
    Nov 17 at 23:46


















  • Your answer is correct if you assume no ties in a player's payoffs.
    – mlc
    Nov 17 at 22:06










  • What do you mean by that? I want to consider all 2x2 games.
    – SlowerPhoton
    Nov 17 at 23:46
















Your answer is correct if you assume no ties in a player's payoffs.
– mlc
Nov 17 at 22:06




Your answer is correct if you assume no ties in a player's payoffs.
– mlc
Nov 17 at 22:06












What do you mean by that? I want to consider all 2x2 games.
– SlowerPhoton
Nov 17 at 23:46




What do you mean by that? I want to consider all 2x2 games.
– SlowerPhoton
Nov 17 at 23:46










1 Answer
1






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up vote
2
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Consider the $2 times 2$ game
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & a_1,b_1 & a_2,b_3 \
B & a_3,b_2 & a_4,b_4 \
hline
end{array}



Assume no ties: $a_1 ne a_3$ and $a_2 ne a_4$. (For simplicity, I only discuss the Row player. Replace $a$ with $b$ to cover the Column player.)



There are four possible cases:



1.1) if $a_1>a_3$ and $a_2>a_4$, then the strategy $T$ is strictly dominant and thus is the only best reply for Row;



1.2) if $a_1 < a_3$ and $a_2<a_4$, then the strategy $B$ is strictly dominant and thus is the only best reply for Row;



1.3) if $a_1>a_3$ and $a_2<a_4$, then both T and B may be best replies for Row;



1.4) if $a_1<a_3$ and $a_2>a_4$, then both T and B may be best replies for Row.



Make the analogous list for Column (replace $a$ with $b$ and number items 2.x instead of 1.x), assuming she has no ties either. Combining the two lists, you get a total of 16 cases that can be grouped in three categories:



a) a unique equilibrium in pure strategies; f.i., 1.1 and 2.1 yield (T,L) as the unique equilibrium in pure strategies;



b) a unique equilibrium in mixed strategies; f.i., 1.3 and 2.4 yield (aunique equilibrium in mixed strategies;



c) two equilibria in pure strategies and one in mixed strategies; f.i., 1.3 and 2.3 yield (T,L) and (B,R) as equilibria in pure strategies and there is also an equilibrium in mixed strategies.



The above may be summarised as follows: generically (=assuming no ties), the maximum number of Nash equilibria in a $2 times 2$ game is three.



If you allow for ties (as per your comment), the picture gets messy. You can have games with only two equilibria in pure strategies, such as:
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & 1,1 & 0,0 \
B & 0,0 & 0,0 \
hline
end{array}

where only $(T,L)$ and $(B,R)$ are equilibria.



More importantly for your question, you can have games with an infinite number equilibria such as
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & 0,1 & 0,1 \
B & 0,1 & 0,1 \
hline
end{array}

where any strategic profile (pure or mixed) is a Nash equilibrium. If you feel "cheated" by this example because every player is indifferent over every outcome, you might appreciate how particular (=non-generic) is the assumption that ties are possible.






share|cite|improve this answer





















  • Simple, concise, clear and interesting. Thank you for this!
    – SlowerPhoton
    Nov 19 at 19:01











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1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

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active

oldest

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active

oldest

votes








up vote
2
down vote



accepted










Consider the $2 times 2$ game
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & a_1,b_1 & a_2,b_3 \
B & a_3,b_2 & a_4,b_4 \
hline
end{array}



Assume no ties: $a_1 ne a_3$ and $a_2 ne a_4$. (For simplicity, I only discuss the Row player. Replace $a$ with $b$ to cover the Column player.)



There are four possible cases:



1.1) if $a_1>a_3$ and $a_2>a_4$, then the strategy $T$ is strictly dominant and thus is the only best reply for Row;



1.2) if $a_1 < a_3$ and $a_2<a_4$, then the strategy $B$ is strictly dominant and thus is the only best reply for Row;



1.3) if $a_1>a_3$ and $a_2<a_4$, then both T and B may be best replies for Row;



1.4) if $a_1<a_3$ and $a_2>a_4$, then both T and B may be best replies for Row.



Make the analogous list for Column (replace $a$ with $b$ and number items 2.x instead of 1.x), assuming she has no ties either. Combining the two lists, you get a total of 16 cases that can be grouped in three categories:



a) a unique equilibrium in pure strategies; f.i., 1.1 and 2.1 yield (T,L) as the unique equilibrium in pure strategies;



b) a unique equilibrium in mixed strategies; f.i., 1.3 and 2.4 yield (aunique equilibrium in mixed strategies;



c) two equilibria in pure strategies and one in mixed strategies; f.i., 1.3 and 2.3 yield (T,L) and (B,R) as equilibria in pure strategies and there is also an equilibrium in mixed strategies.



The above may be summarised as follows: generically (=assuming no ties), the maximum number of Nash equilibria in a $2 times 2$ game is three.



If you allow for ties (as per your comment), the picture gets messy. You can have games with only two equilibria in pure strategies, such as:
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & 1,1 & 0,0 \
B & 0,0 & 0,0 \
hline
end{array}

where only $(T,L)$ and $(B,R)$ are equilibria.



More importantly for your question, you can have games with an infinite number equilibria such as
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & 0,1 & 0,1 \
B & 0,1 & 0,1 \
hline
end{array}

where any strategic profile (pure or mixed) is a Nash equilibrium. If you feel "cheated" by this example because every player is indifferent over every outcome, you might appreciate how particular (=non-generic) is the assumption that ties are possible.






share|cite|improve this answer





















  • Simple, concise, clear and interesting. Thank you for this!
    – SlowerPhoton
    Nov 19 at 19:01















up vote
2
down vote



accepted










Consider the $2 times 2$ game
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & a_1,b_1 & a_2,b_3 \
B & a_3,b_2 & a_4,b_4 \
hline
end{array}



Assume no ties: $a_1 ne a_3$ and $a_2 ne a_4$. (For simplicity, I only discuss the Row player. Replace $a$ with $b$ to cover the Column player.)



There are four possible cases:



1.1) if $a_1>a_3$ and $a_2>a_4$, then the strategy $T$ is strictly dominant and thus is the only best reply for Row;



1.2) if $a_1 < a_3$ and $a_2<a_4$, then the strategy $B$ is strictly dominant and thus is the only best reply for Row;



1.3) if $a_1>a_3$ and $a_2<a_4$, then both T and B may be best replies for Row;



1.4) if $a_1<a_3$ and $a_2>a_4$, then both T and B may be best replies for Row.



Make the analogous list for Column (replace $a$ with $b$ and number items 2.x instead of 1.x), assuming she has no ties either. Combining the two lists, you get a total of 16 cases that can be grouped in three categories:



a) a unique equilibrium in pure strategies; f.i., 1.1 and 2.1 yield (T,L) as the unique equilibrium in pure strategies;



b) a unique equilibrium in mixed strategies; f.i., 1.3 and 2.4 yield (aunique equilibrium in mixed strategies;



c) two equilibria in pure strategies and one in mixed strategies; f.i., 1.3 and 2.3 yield (T,L) and (B,R) as equilibria in pure strategies and there is also an equilibrium in mixed strategies.



The above may be summarised as follows: generically (=assuming no ties), the maximum number of Nash equilibria in a $2 times 2$ game is three.



If you allow for ties (as per your comment), the picture gets messy. You can have games with only two equilibria in pure strategies, such as:
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & 1,1 & 0,0 \
B & 0,0 & 0,0 \
hline
end{array}

where only $(T,L)$ and $(B,R)$ are equilibria.



More importantly for your question, you can have games with an infinite number equilibria such as
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & 0,1 & 0,1 \
B & 0,1 & 0,1 \
hline
end{array}

where any strategic profile (pure or mixed) is a Nash equilibrium. If you feel "cheated" by this example because every player is indifferent over every outcome, you might appreciate how particular (=non-generic) is the assumption that ties are possible.






share|cite|improve this answer





















  • Simple, concise, clear and interesting. Thank you for this!
    – SlowerPhoton
    Nov 19 at 19:01













up vote
2
down vote



accepted







up vote
2
down vote



accepted






Consider the $2 times 2$ game
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & a_1,b_1 & a_2,b_3 \
B & a_3,b_2 & a_4,b_4 \
hline
end{array}



Assume no ties: $a_1 ne a_3$ and $a_2 ne a_4$. (For simplicity, I only discuss the Row player. Replace $a$ with $b$ to cover the Column player.)



There are four possible cases:



1.1) if $a_1>a_3$ and $a_2>a_4$, then the strategy $T$ is strictly dominant and thus is the only best reply for Row;



1.2) if $a_1 < a_3$ and $a_2<a_4$, then the strategy $B$ is strictly dominant and thus is the only best reply for Row;



1.3) if $a_1>a_3$ and $a_2<a_4$, then both T and B may be best replies for Row;



1.4) if $a_1<a_3$ and $a_2>a_4$, then both T and B may be best replies for Row.



Make the analogous list for Column (replace $a$ with $b$ and number items 2.x instead of 1.x), assuming she has no ties either. Combining the two lists, you get a total of 16 cases that can be grouped in three categories:



a) a unique equilibrium in pure strategies; f.i., 1.1 and 2.1 yield (T,L) as the unique equilibrium in pure strategies;



b) a unique equilibrium in mixed strategies; f.i., 1.3 and 2.4 yield (aunique equilibrium in mixed strategies;



c) two equilibria in pure strategies and one in mixed strategies; f.i., 1.3 and 2.3 yield (T,L) and (B,R) as equilibria in pure strategies and there is also an equilibrium in mixed strategies.



The above may be summarised as follows: generically (=assuming no ties), the maximum number of Nash equilibria in a $2 times 2$ game is three.



If you allow for ties (as per your comment), the picture gets messy. You can have games with only two equilibria in pure strategies, such as:
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & 1,1 & 0,0 \
B & 0,0 & 0,0 \
hline
end{array}

where only $(T,L)$ and $(B,R)$ are equilibria.



More importantly for your question, you can have games with an infinite number equilibria such as
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & 0,1 & 0,1 \
B & 0,1 & 0,1 \
hline
end{array}

where any strategic profile (pure or mixed) is a Nash equilibrium. If you feel "cheated" by this example because every player is indifferent over every outcome, you might appreciate how particular (=non-generic) is the assumption that ties are possible.






share|cite|improve this answer












Consider the $2 times 2$ game
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & a_1,b_1 & a_2,b_3 \
B & a_3,b_2 & a_4,b_4 \
hline
end{array}



Assume no ties: $a_1 ne a_3$ and $a_2 ne a_4$. (For simplicity, I only discuss the Row player. Replace $a$ with $b$ to cover the Column player.)



There are four possible cases:



1.1) if $a_1>a_3$ and $a_2>a_4$, then the strategy $T$ is strictly dominant and thus is the only best reply for Row;



1.2) if $a_1 < a_3$ and $a_2<a_4$, then the strategy $B$ is strictly dominant and thus is the only best reply for Row;



1.3) if $a_1>a_3$ and $a_2<a_4$, then both T and B may be best replies for Row;



1.4) if $a_1<a_3$ and $a_2>a_4$, then both T and B may be best replies for Row.



Make the analogous list for Column (replace $a$ with $b$ and number items 2.x instead of 1.x), assuming she has no ties either. Combining the two lists, you get a total of 16 cases that can be grouped in three categories:



a) a unique equilibrium in pure strategies; f.i., 1.1 and 2.1 yield (T,L) as the unique equilibrium in pure strategies;



b) a unique equilibrium in mixed strategies; f.i., 1.3 and 2.4 yield (aunique equilibrium in mixed strategies;



c) two equilibria in pure strategies and one in mixed strategies; f.i., 1.3 and 2.3 yield (T,L) and (B,R) as equilibria in pure strategies and there is also an equilibrium in mixed strategies.



The above may be summarised as follows: generically (=assuming no ties), the maximum number of Nash equilibria in a $2 times 2$ game is three.



If you allow for ties (as per your comment), the picture gets messy. You can have games with only two equilibria in pure strategies, such as:
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & 1,1 & 0,0 \
B & 0,0 & 0,0 \
hline
end{array}

where only $(T,L)$ and $(B,R)$ are equilibria.



More importantly for your question, you can have games with an infinite number equilibria such as
begin{array}{c|cc|}
& L & R \
hline
T & 0,1 & 0,1 \
B & 0,1 & 0,1 \
hline
end{array}

where any strategic profile (pure or mixed) is a Nash equilibrium. If you feel "cheated" by this example because every player is indifferent over every outcome, you might appreciate how particular (=non-generic) is the assumption that ties are possible.







share|cite|improve this answer












share|cite|improve this answer



share|cite|improve this answer










answered Nov 18 at 11:37









mlc

4,83431332




4,83431332












  • Simple, concise, clear and interesting. Thank you for this!
    – SlowerPhoton
    Nov 19 at 19:01


















  • Simple, concise, clear and interesting. Thank you for this!
    – SlowerPhoton
    Nov 19 at 19:01
















Simple, concise, clear and interesting. Thank you for this!
– SlowerPhoton
Nov 19 at 19:01




Simple, concise, clear and interesting. Thank you for this!
– SlowerPhoton
Nov 19 at 19:01


















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