Product Description

Mathematics has become indispensable in the modelling of economics, finance, business and management. Without expecting any particular background of the reader, this book covers the following mathematical topics, with frequent reference to applications in economics and finance: functions, graphs and equations, recurrences (difference equations), differentiation, exponentials and logarithms, optimisation, partial differentiation, optimisation in several variables, vectors and matrices, linear equations, Lagrange multipliers, integration, first-order and second-order differential equations. The stress is on the relation of maths to economics, and this is illustrated with copious examples and exercises to foster depth of understanding. Each chapter has three parts: the main text, a section of further worked examples and a summary of the chapter together with a selection of problems for the reader to attempt. For students of economics, mathematics, or both, this book provides an introduction to mathematical methods in economics and finance that will be welcomed for its clarity and breadth.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19374 in Books
• Published on: 1996-07-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 410 pages

Review
'Throughout, the stress is firmly on how the mathematics relates to economics, and this is illustrated with copious examples and exercises that will foster depth of understanding.' L’Enseignement Mathématique

Customer Reviews

mathematics for economists
This is currently the book used for the foundation part of LSE's Economics degree. I did A-level maths 10 years ago and I was rather worried that my maths was not up to scratch. I worked through this book alone (it took me about 2 months at a slow pace) and found nearly all of the explanations comprehensible. I recommend having an A-Level text book alongside to fill in the gaps and drill your technique. As maths books go this is, for me, one of the best ones written as it does not assume knowledge that you do not have and it does not do that common thing of starting at a really basic level and then suddenly jumping into something much more complex without careful step-by-step explanations. My only criticism would be even more explanations for some things: but that is a personal thing.

A great little book
I'm a mature student who hasn't studied maths in (mumble mumble) years. I'm doing a distance-learning degree in Maths and Economics, so need all the help I can get.

This is an excellent book - easy to understand text, clear examples which walk you through what is being done, straight-forward explanations. Despite all that, it doesn't over-simplify or patronise.

I'm finding this indispensible - of the books I've bought, this is the best purchase I've made by far. You won't be disappointed.

Excellent!
I am a computer scientist with maths background (it's been a while since I graduated) who was looking to move into finance. I was therefore searching for an intermediate book but at the same time well-written and able to introduce both financial concepts and the underlying mathematics.

This book does exactly that! Starts from basics, both in terms of maths and economics/finance and gradually introduces new concepts and mathematical formulas together with "how" they are deduced, does not simply come up as if by magic with it. There is a number of worked examples as well to reinforce and practice what one has learnt plus problems with hints/solutions in the end of the book.

All in all, very well written, clear, concise, excellent introduction but also reference for those who want to fill in gaps.

Although I'm not an expert (yet ;-)) in the field I think that you should complement this book with one more advanced if you are a very experienced analyst/economist and looking for something more than a good introduction.