Mathematical Economics: Prelude to the Neoclassical Model

by Kam Yu

Overview

This textbook provides a one-semester introduction to mathematical economics for first year graduate and senior undergraduate students. Intended to fill the gap between typical liberal arts curriculum and the rigorous mathematical modeling of graduate study in economics, this text provides a concise introduction to the mathematics needed for core microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics courses. Chapters 1 through 5 builds students’ skills in formal proof, axiomatic treatment of linear algebra, and elementary vector differentiation. Chapters 6 and 7 present the basic tools needed for microeconomic analysis. Chapter 8 provides a quick introduction to (or review of) probability theory. Chapter 9 introduces dynamic modeling, applicable in advanced macroeconomics courses. The materials assume prerequisites in undergraduate calculus and linear algebra. Each chapter includes in-text exercises and a solutions manual, making this text ideal for self-study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030272890
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	11/01/2019
Series:	Springer Texts in Business and Economics
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

​Kam Yu studied engineering, mathematics, and economics in Hong Kong, the UK, and Canada. He teaches economics at Lakehead University, where he received a teaching award in 2016. His primary research interest is in the area of social and economic measurement.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Logic and Proof.- Chapter 2. Sets and Relations.- Chapter 3. Basic Topology.- Chapter 4. Linear Algebra.- Chapter 5. Vector Calculus.- Chapter 6. Convex Analysis.- Chapter 7. Optimization.- Chapter 8. Probability.- Chapter 9. Dynamic Modeling.

Editorial Reviews

Even though the book is aimed at serving as a single semester course, it is sufficiently rich in its contents. This makes it stand out from other similar titles. … Sufficient references have been included for those desirous of delving deeper into the mathematical fundamentals of economics. The book has been written with a lot of caution, brevity and wisdom; and is worth every penny spent on it.” (Firdous Ahmad Mala, Journal of Economics, Vol. 136, 2022)

“This book by Prof. Kam Yu is an interesting addition to the literature on the basic mathematical tools for economic analysis (more specifically, for neoclassical economics). It covers a wide range of topics, ranging from topology to probability theory, going through linear algebra, optimization theory and dynamic programming. Its strength lies in a large number of examples and exercises. In that sense, it is useful for junior andsenior college students.” (Fernando Tohmé, zbMATH 1471.91005, 2021)

From the Publisher