Econ 214

Marius Jurgilas

Spring, 2007

Office: Monteith 444

Tu, Th 2:00-3:15 pm

Phone: 486-4443

Classroom: Arjona 311

E-mail: marius.jurgilas@uconn.edu

 

Web: www.jurgilas.net

 

 

MATHEMATICS FOR ECONOMISTS

 

Course description & prerequisites:

The aim of this course is to provide a better understanding of the quantitative methods commonly used by economists in business and research, to clarify the link between economics concepts and mathematical methods, and to improve your ability to model and analyze various economic problems. Prerequisites for this course are: ECON 102 or 113 or ECON 111 and 112;  MATH 106Q or 113Q or 115Q or 118Q.

 

Textbook:

 

The required textbook for this course is:

[1]        Klein, M., Mathematical Methods for Economics, Second Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2002.

 

Other books you may find useful:

[2]        Chiang, A. Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics, 3rd edition

[3]        Roberts, B., and Schulze, D. Modern Mathematics and Economic Analysis

[4]        Simon, C., and L. Blume, Mathematics for Economists

[5]        Stop by my office and take a book from my shelf J!

 

Exams:

There will be two midterm examinations and one final examination. You should expect to see some short quizzes too.

 

Grading:

1st Midterm – 30%

2nd Midterm – 30%

Final – 40%.

 

General information:

I strongly suggest working the problems from the book and those assigned during the class. Answers to odd-numbered problems are given at the end of the text. You should expect to see some problems on the exams identical or very similar to even-numbered problems, thus I encourage to work through as many problems as possible. While you can use mathematical software like Mathematica or Maple to check your answers try to avoid using software to solve problems. Working in groups is encouraged although you should always keep in mind that ultimately it will be your own unassisted exam performance that determines your grade.

 

I will be available for particular questions after/before the class and by appointment jurgilas@jurgilas.net
or 860-486-4443.


 

Course structure:

 

Date

Topics

Readings

 

 

 

 

Review of algebra / intro to the course.

3-71.

 

Ariel Rubinstein

 

 

Equation systems and matrix algebra.

75-114.

 

 

 

 

More on matrix algebra and it’s applications

115-132.

 

 

 

Feb-8

1st MIDTERM (pp. 3-132, and handouts)

 

 

Univariate calculus and applications.

143-180.

 

 

 

 

More general univariate rules, optimization, and applications.

180-210; 257-286.

 

 

 

 

Multivariate calculus and applications.

211-242.

 

 

 

 

Total differentials and implicit functions.

242-253.

 

 

 

Mar-15

2nd MIDTERM (pp. 143-286, and handouts)

Practice problems

REVIEW SESSION March 14th MONTH 444 at 7pm.

 

Unconstrained multivariate optimization and applications.

287-315.

 

 

 

 

Multivariate optimization with equality constraints.

317-328.

 

 

Practice problems

 

The envelope theorem and nonlinear programming.

328-359.

 

 

 

 

Integral calculus and applications.

361-405.

 

 

 

 

Difference equations (?)

407-447

 

 

 

 

Differential equations (??)

451-486

 

 

 

May-3

FINAL (cumulative)

 

First midterm (out of 100):

Second midterm (out of 50):

Final exam (no curve!):

Final grades: