On Numbers and Games, Second Edition

On Numbers and Games by John H. Conway (2002, Hardcover without Dust Jacket) ONAG, as the book is commonly known, was mostly written in a week during 1975. It immediately became a classic by generalizing number theory and formalizing game theory. This 2nd Edition brings ONAG up-to-date with game theory results through the year 2000. ONAG is one of those rare publications that sprang to life in a moment of creative energy and has remained influential for almost half of a century. Originally written to define the relation between the theories of transfinite numbers and mathematical games, the resulting work is a mathematically sophisticated but eminently enjoyable guide to game theory. By defining numbers as the strengths of positions in certain games, the author arrives at a new class, the surreal numbers, that includes both real numbers and ordinal numbers. These surreal numbers are applied in the author's mathematical analysis of game strategies. The additions to the Second Edition present developments in the area of mathematical game theory up to the 21st century, with a concentration on surreal numbers and the additive theory of partizan games. xiv + 242pp. John Horton Conway (1937–2020) was an English mathematician. He was active in the theory of finite groups, knot theory, number theory, combinatorial game theory. He also made contributions to many branches of recreational mathematics, most notably the invention of the cellular automaton called the "Game of Life." He died a victim of the COVID plague. Hardcover has purple plastic laminated boards with white lettering and designs, but no DJ. This copy opens as if never read. Interior is tight, clean and unmarked. Always privately owned without ownership markings. Copyright 2001. 1st edition copyright 1975. Stated Second Edition. Printed in U.S.A. Print-line states this copy is from 2nd printing of 2002. ISBN: 1-56881-127-6. LCCN: 00-046927. No MSR. Thanks for looking.…