Mathematics for Economists: An Introduction
Martin TimbrellThe book is divided into six Parts, each introducing a set of related techniques. As far as possible Parts are independent of each other, and the reader may omit one or more or may choose to take them in a different order. In particular, Part I ('Simple mathematical concepts') is intended for readers who have forgotten much of what they once knew, while Part VI ('Matrix algebra') could be left out altogether. Part II is unusual in that it groups together techniques that are normally spread throughout a mathematics text but which, from the point of view of economjc analysis, fit together very naturally. I have called this section 'Introduction to dynamics' and placed it near the front of the book to reflect the increasing importance that economists now attach to the dynamic analysis of the economy. Part III deals with single-variable differential calculus and Part V with multivariate calculus, which together form the core of mathematical economics. In between these two is an optional Part on 'Integral calculus' including an introduction to differential equations. Here more than anywhere else in the book, the formal mathematics has been pared back to reveal the essential importance of the technique to the economist.