Mathematics for economics and finance

Without expecting any particular background of the reader, this book covers the following mathematical topics with frequent reference to applications in economics and finance, Functions, graphs and equations, recurrences (difference equations), differentiation, exponentials and logarithms, optimisation, partial differentiation, optimisation in several variables, vectors and matrices, linear equations, Lagrange multipliers, integration, first-order and second-order differential equations.

Throughout, the stress is firmly on how the mathematics relates to economics, and this is illustrated with copious examples and exercises that will foster depth of understanding. Each chapter has three parts: the main text, where key concepts are developed; a section of further worked examples, where sample problems are fully solved; a summary of the chapter together with a selection of problems for the reader to attempt.

For students of economics, mathematics, or both, this book provides an introduction to mathematical methods in economics and finance that will be welcomed for its clarity and breadth.