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ECON2125 Mathematics for Economists A

Later Year Course

Offered By School of Economics
Academic Career Undergraduate
Course Subject Economics
Offered in First Semester, 2009 and First Semester, 2010
Unit Value 6 units
Course Description

The course will start with a brief review of graphs and functions used in economic theory, calculus of a single variable, vectors, matrices and determinants. It will then examine partial derivatives and total derivatives; comparative statics; concavity and convexity; unconstrained maximisation/minimisation; maximisation/minimisation subject to constraints; the implicit function theorem and the envelope theorem; and the Kuhn-Tucker theorem and conditions. Throughout the course, the usefulness of these concepts and techniques will be illustrated by applications to theoretical economic analysis.

Learning Outcomes After taking the course ECON2125 or ECON8013 students are able to understand basic techniques of mathematical economics. These include differential and integral calculus, basic linear algebra, finite mathematics (sets, relations and functions) and their applications in economics (marginal utilities, finding maxima and minima of functions, etc...). They are able to graph functions, to understand arguments and simple formal proofs and to analyse economic problems of intermediate complexity using the mathematical necessary tools.
Indicative Assessment

Mid-semester and semester examinations.

Workload

Two lectures and one tutorial per week.

Areas of Interest Economics
Requisite Statement

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 and ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 or ECON1100 Economics 1 (H), or ECON1001/1011 Economics I (P or H), and EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models or STAT1006 Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics 1.

Preliminary Reading

It should be unnecessary for students who have completed Fundamentals of Economic and Financial Modelling recently and who have a firm understanding of this material. However, students without a solid knowledge of graphs and functions used in economic theory, calculus of a single variable and vectors, matrices and determinants should review Dowling, E.T., Schaum's Outline: Introduction to Mathematical Economics, Ch 1-4 & 7-11, McGraw Hill, 1992.

Other Information

For further information please refer to http://ecocomm.anu.edu.au/courses/course.asp?code=ECON2125

The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.

Updated:   13 Nov 2015 / Responsible Officer:   The Registrar / Page Contact:   Student Business Solutions