EC2004 (Provisional may change)
Quantitative Methods – Mathematics
LECTURER:
Dr Tugce Cuhadaroglu
Martinmas (First) Semester 2015/16
CREDITS: 10
LECTURES:
20 lectures + 2 class tests.
2 x 1 hour lectures per week.
Timing of lectures and venue: TBA
TUTORIALS:
1 hour tutorials likely to take place in weeks 3,
3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. (To be confirmed).
EXAMINATION:
A two hour examination.
Structure of the exam: TBA
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT: 2 x 50 minutes es
class test.
FINAL GRADE:
Examination 50% weight
Each Class Test 25% weight
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: You must sit
the examination and attend a minimum of …
Brief Module Outline
This module provides a training in the key mathematical ideas that are used in economics. It
provides you with the mathematical tools necessary for study at the honours level. It provides an
introduction to a number of topics including: linear models, logarithms and exponential
functions; quadratic equations; univariate and multivariate differential calculus; integration.
Learning Outcomes
It is intended that by the end of the course, students will
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Be able to understand variables, functions and equations and their role in economic
analysis.
Be able to carry out univariate and multivariate differentiation, understand and solve
unconstrained and constrained optimization.
Be able to carry out the following operations: finding the sum of a series; taking a
logarithm – and the inverse operation; taking an exponential – and the inverse operation.
Be familiar with the key mathematical tools used in economic analysis.
Have an improved ‘transferable skills’ set such as analytical thinking, designing and
solving a problem in steps. Please see (a link here) for a further discussion of these
skills.
Course Outline
1. Linear models. Equations and graphs. How to solve simultaneous equations. Micro and
macro applications of these.
2. Indices, logarithms and exponential functions. Indices and how to manipulate them.
Logarithms and simple manipulations. Exponential functions. Applications of these.
3. Non-linear models. Quadratic equations and how to solve them.
4. Differential Calculus with functions of one variable. Derivatives. Rules for Differentiation.
Optimisation. Applications to marginal functions, elasticities and multipliers.
5. Multivariate calculus. Partial differentiation. Differentials. The total differential and the
total derivative. Constraints and optimisation subject to these. Applications to problems
in micro- and macro-economics.
6. Integration with functions of one variable. Rules of integration. Definite and indefinite
integrals. Applications.
Main Reading
The main textbook for this course is TBA.
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