Setup and Rule Diagrams

[Administrator]

Setup and Rule Diagram Explanation

This is an Undefined Grouping game with a selection pool of Uniform Variables. It is Undefined because the number of variables chosen (i.e., the number of appliances chosen) is not fixed. The selection pool is comprised of Uniform Variables because the variables are all equal members of the same basic group, not subdivided into categories. Since this is a pure grouping game, the setup will be comprised solely of conditional statements. We should note that M is a random in this game—it is the only variable not directly constrained by any of the rules.

The first rule tells us that if Henri uses the hairdryer, he cannot use the razor, and vice-versa. This can be characterized as follows:

• H R

The second rule can be shown as:

• H T

The final rule provides us with the following conditional statement:

D05_Game_#1_setup_diagram 1.png

With the conditional statements above, we have all three rules represented. It is valuable to note that H and V are the variables subject to the most constraints. In addition, there is value in showing the set of appliances that each individual appliance cannot be used with:

D05_Game_#1_setup_diagram 2.png

[annabelle.swift]

Hi!

Why is this considered an Undefined game when there is a maximum number of variables/appliances chosen (3, as we saw in Question 6)? Wouldn't it be a Partially Defined game?

Thank you!

[Rachael Wilkenfeld]

Hi Annabelle,

An undefined game is one where the game rules/scenario don't give us a minimum or maximum. That doesn't mean there aren't inferences that would limit the group size. It just means there aren't explicit statements giving a group minimum or maximum. There frequently are inferences in the game that do provide limits to the group size, and in an undefined game, it often makes sense to think about those inferences at the initial diagramming stage.

Hope that helps!