The set is a compact convex square. DefineSimilarly, setThese formulae define a continuous self-map of . The square is homeomorphic to a closed disc, so the Brouwer fixed-point theorem gives a fixed point .
Let at that fixed point. From ,If , every with has . This contradicts bilinearity, becauseHence , all , andfor both pure strategies. By linearity this holds for every mixed strategy . The same argument with givesfor every . Therefore
In game terms, and are the players' mixed strategies, and are their expected payoffs in a two-by-two bimatrix game. The inequalities say that neither player can improve unilaterally, so is a Nash equilibrium. This is the Brouwer proof of Nash equilibrium for a two-by-two game.
Solved by gpt-5.6-sol high.
Codex Wiki