ECOMath 2. Mathematics for economists (Q976569)

Among a volume of three issues on introductory mathematics for economists, the second issue, ECOMath2, deals with linear algebra and linear equation system. The mathematical tools necessary to work with the topics are introduces and explained first, and in a second step their application is demonstrated using economic problems. In line with Volume 1, the author abstains from rigorous proofs of mathematical theorems, but instead presents many examples to help understanding the different tools and techniques. Along this concept, the book uses different colors in graphical presentations, colored backgrounds to highlight important results, and to indicate important parts in formulas or possible pitfalls in exercises. The topics covered in this second volume are matrices and vectors, linear equation systems, determinants and its applications, quadratic forms, convex sets and linear inequalities, and a brief introduction into simple linear optimization techniques and the simplex algorithm. The book contains two appendices. In the first appendix, the author presents some intuitive as well as formal reasoning for more complex formulas presented in the main body of the book. And the second appendix contains solutions to selected problems. As the author mentions, all of the above mentioned topics are presented in a very elementary way first, followed by more complicated and complex problems and applications. Therefore, no previous knowledge is necessary to understand the tools and topics of this volume. But it is recommended to be familiar with the content of the first volume of ECOMath, as the author remarks.