Product Description

This book is a self-contained treatment of all the mathematics needed by undergraduate and beginning-graduate students of economics. Building up gently from a very low level, the authors provide a clear, systematic coverage of calculus and matrix algebra as well as easily accessible introductions to optimisation and dynamics. All methods are illustrated by well chosen examples and exercises selected from central areas of modern economic analysis. New features of the second edition include a thorough exposition of dynamic optimisation in discrete and continuous time, and a short introduction to the rigorous mathematical analysis used in graduate-level economics.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53265 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 695 pages

About the Author
Malcolm Pemberton is Senior Lecturer in Economics at University College London Nicholas Rau is Senior Lecturer in Economics at University College London

Customer Reviews

Good textbook, quite a mathematical approach
Pemberton and Rau is one of the more advanced texts for undergraduate economics’ maths. It starts most topics from the beginning without much need for prior knowledge. It contains more proofs than most similar textbooks and gets to most results through a mathematical approach (instead of just giving you the result to take as given), this can be quite useful if you like to know where formula come from. This is quite a concise book, which covers a lot of topics; as there is a lot of material covered in a small space you may need to re-read parts for it to properly make sense. There are exercises at the back of each chapter that are usually of the right level; only the odd numbered questions have answers (this is so even questions can be set for class work). Overall it is quite a good book though as there are many similar books on the market, it is best to make sure this is the right one for you and your course - Pemberton has the right depth for economics courses with separate maths papers and is best suited to people who enjoy maths.

Superb bridge between very rusty A-level and higher maths
I have been using the second edition of the excellent "Mathematics For Economists" text for a crash program of self-study (and am about to start ch. 27). Irrespective of the economics theme, the book is a superb way to upgrade mathematics skills from a long since rusted maths A-level, and constitutes a very useful general bridge text between that and higher maths studies. I haven't found anything else on the market like it - either in content or the amenable pedagogic style. I suspect the text suits mature and concise thinkers. I'm not sure I could have approached this text straight after A-level as a youth, but as an older reader who has spent a long time working in other logical disciplines subsequently this text was a great way to return to maths. It is just detailed enough without being overbearing and has opened up the subject for me again.

Mumbo Jumbo
Its confusing to say the least, not direct, attempt to cram everything into short paragraphs, and you would have to read it again slowly to understand. Doesn't always provide a through illustration of what its talking about, maths with more words than numbers. There are example questions, but doesn't give the answers all the time, especially the harder ones, you are left to work it out your self.
Can be especially difficult if youve got a new foreign lecturer from Romania, and your trying to teach yourself, this is certainly not a teach your self guide, far from it.
Dont be fooled by the fact that its written by people from UCL, its written for maths students and not economists, with little application to economics. Especially frustrating if your running away from those A-level maths day, they are coming back to haunt you.