CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
Department of Economics
Fall 2014
Prof. Terri Sexton
sextont@csus.edu
3018 Tahoe Hall
(916) 278-6484
Hours: TTh 10:00-11:00 am
T 3:30-4:30 pm
Economics 200M
Mathematics for Economists
This course equips students with the mathematical techniques necessary for the study of
economics and econometrics at the graduate level. Topics covered include linear algebra,
derivatives, comparative static analysis, optimization, integrals, and difference equations,
with specific applications from economic and econometric theory.
Prerequisites
ECON 100A, ECON 100B, MATH 26A or Math 30.
Required Reading
Reading assignments are from the text Fundamental Methods of Mathematical
Economics, 4th edition, by Alpha C. Chiang published by McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2005.
Other References
Mathematics for Economics, 3rd edition, by Michael Hoy, John Livernois, Chris
McKenna, Ray Rees, and Thanasis Stengos, published by The MIT Press, 2011.
Mathematics for Economists, by Carl P. Simon and Lawrence Blume, published by W.W.
Norton & Company, 1994.
Introduction to Mathematical Economics, 3rd edition, by Edward T. Dowling, Schaum’s
Outline Series published by McGraw-Hill, 2001.
Class Format
Class meetings will consist of a mix of lectures and in-class exercises. Attendance is
necessary, though not sufficient, for successful completion of this course. Please arrive to
class on time with cell phones turned off. I will use SacCT to communicate with you and
provide course handouts and homework assignments.
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Course Requirements, Assignments, and Grading
Your grade in this class will be based on weekly homework assignments, a midterm
exam and a comprehensive final exam, according to the following weighting:
Homework
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
25%
35%
40%
Course Grade
The letter grade you receive in this course will be based on the following grading scale
(approximately):
90-100%
A
79-89%
B
68-78%
C
57-67%
D
< 57%
F
Late Homework and Make-up Exam Policy
Homework will be due at the beginning of class each week. Late assignments will not be
accepted since solutions will be posted after class. Exams cannot be rescheduled or
made up except for documented emergencies. In all such cases, I need to be notified
PRIOR to the scheduled exam so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
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TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
DATE
TOPIC
REQUIRED READING
September 2
Introduction to Economic Models, Equilibrium
Analysis, and Basic Mathematical Concepts and
Methods
Chapts. 1,2, & 3
September 9
Introduction to Linear Algebra
Chapt. 4
September 16
Linear Algebra and Applications
Chapt. 5
September 23
Review of Univariate Calculus and Comparative
Statics
Chapt. 6 & 7
September 30
Multivariate Calculus and Comparative Statics
Chapt. 8
October 7
Optimization of Functions of One Variable
Chapt. 9
October 14
Special Cases: Exponential and Logarithmic
Functions
Chapt. 10
October 21
MIDTERM EXAM
October 28
Optimization: More than One Choice Variable
Chapt. 11
November 4
Constrained Optimization
Chapt. 12
November 18
Further Topics in Optimization
Chapt. 13
December 2
Review of Integral Calculus
Chapt. 14
December 9
Applications of Integral Calculus
Chapt. 17
December 16
FINAL EXAM (5:15-7:15)
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