The Price is Right has been broadcast in its current format since the 1970s. The iconic American TV institution allows contestants to win cars, vacations, and cash based on having a strong knowledge of item pricing, plus some basic math skills and a dash of luck. As someone who watched the show off and on for decades, I've sensed a level of math skill and game play associated with various pricing games but wasn't sure of the science behind the games. Author Justin L. Bergner does the heavy lifting and watches two seasons of shows to document his findings in Solving The Price is Right: How Mathematics Can Improve Your Decisions on and off the Set of America's Celebrated Game Show.
This book explores the game theory and necessary math skills for getting out of Contestants' Row, playing pricing games, spinning the big wheel, and bidding on the showcases at the end of the show. Some games are easier to play and require a relatively simple level of strategy (Cliffhanger), a bit of skill (Hole in One), or general strategy on chip or shell placement (Plinko and Shell Game). Bergner reviews two seasons of show data and quantifies contestant results versus what he determines to be the best strategy for each game.
Bergner devotes an entire chapter to the showcase portion and how the first showcase, irregardless of price, is often the winning showcase no matter if the first person bids on it or passes it to their opponent. The game theory in the showcase is arguably the most interesting part of the book since the showcases are different in terms of the items presented. Solving the Price is Right as a whole is a very enjoyable discussion of the math and theory behind a very successful game show. If you're thinking of trying to get on the show and love math, this book is for you.
MY RATING: 4.5
