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Basic Mathematics for Economists Second Edition
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Over half of the students who enrol on economics degree courses have not studied mathe-
matics beyond GCSE or an equivalent level. These include many mature students whose last
encounter with algebra, or any other mathematics beyond basic arithmetic, is now a dim and
distant memory. It is mainly for these students that this book is intended. It aims to develop
their mathematical ability up to the level required for a general economics degree course (i.e.
one not specializing in mathematical economics) or for a modular degree course in economics
and related subjects, such as business studies. To achieve this aim it has several objectives.
First, it provides a revision of arithmetical and algebraic methods that students probably
studied at school but have now largely forgotten. It is a misconception to assume that, just
because a GCSE mathematics syllabus includes certain topics, students who passed exami-
nations on that syllabus two or more years ago are all still familiar with the material. They
usually require some revision exercises to jog their memories and to get into the habit of
using the different mathematical techniques again. The first few chapters are mainly devoted
to this revision, set out where possible in the context of applications in economics.
Second, this book introduces mathematical techniques that will be new to most students
throug
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xample
s
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f
thei
r
applicatio
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t
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economi
c
concepts
.
I
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als
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trie
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students
tackling problems in economics using these techniques as soon as possible so that they can
see how useful they are. Students are not required to work through unnecessary proofs, or
wrestle with complicated special cases that they are unlikely ever to encounter again. For
example, when covering the topic of calculus, some other textbooks require students to
plough through abstract theoretical applications of the technique of differentiation to every
conceivable type of function and special case before any mention of its uses in economics
is made. In this book, however, we introduce the basic concept of differentiation followed
b
y
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xample
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economi
c
application
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Chapte
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8
.
Furthe
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d
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v
elopment
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th
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topic,
such as the second-order conditions for optimization, partial differentiation, and the rules
for differentiation of composite functions, are then gradually brought in over the next few
chapters, again in the context of economics application
Mike Rosser - Personal Name
ISBN 0-203-42439-5
NONE
Economics
English
2003
London
1-535
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