Mathematical methods for economists (Q5900239): Difference between revisions

``Mathematische Methoden für Ökonomen'' is a German written textbook in mathematics for undergraduate courses in economics. The textbook is the outcome of many years of experience and teaching mathematics in the economic departments of the university of Hamburg as well as Cologne. Compared with other mathematical textbooks for economists, a distinguishing feature is the close relationship between mathematical terms and those from economic theory, especially economics and operation research. Already on page one the authors start with a production function for some good and relate it to a mathematical function as well as to an isoquant curve. This strategy is pursued throughout the book and makes it much easier for students to understand why mathematical techniques are a useful tool for quantitative economics. The formal structure of the book follows some mathematical rules by using definitions and sentences, but proofs are omitted. Instead many examples should help the reader to understand the definition and to learn how to use it. At the end of each chapter the reader will find some questions and exercises, the corresponding solutions are listed at the end of the book. The topics covered in the book are quite standard such as differential calculus, integral calculus, matrices, vector, linear algebra, determinants, eigenvalues and so on. In this sense the authors restrict themselves to common topics in mathematics for economists. Nevertheless, the fruitful combination of mathematical and economic terms makes it easier for students to deal with formal methods and abstract ideas.