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andyecon · 2006 March 23rd, 12:50 PM

I really like De La Fuente's book. You need more of a background for it, but I think you definitely have such a background.
Also, if you need topology, I think the ol' standby is Munkres. It is really nice reading for such an abstract subject.

southern man · 2006 March 23rd, 12:56 PM

Does that mean you study books written in Italian, or does it mean that the lecturers give you notes in Italian and you never see a text book?

Do you know where you are likely to be going for grad school?

Zavera · 2006 March 23rd, 01:34 PM

If you are going to review you math, I'd advise doing exactly what I am doing: just buy the book your department is going to use in order to review math and read that.

In my case, most of my departments are using De la Fluete and Chiang. So that is what I am reading. Don't even bother reading anything else when you can study what you know you will be using in the future.

TheBrothersKaramazov · 2006 March 23rd, 01:34 PM

Panda, I am using Lay's textbook for an intro to analysis class right now. You're correct - it is too basic. But I swear, it is the BEST written analysis textbook I have ever read. If you really read it, it teaches you how to do everything.

Last year, I took the same course (but dropped it), and we used Binmore's real analysis textbook. The fundamental proof techniques were completely absent, and jumped right into the material. Use Lay's as an intro, and if you feel confident enough with it - DEFINITELY move onto something harder.

asianecon · 2006 March 23rd, 02:45 PM

if u want a nice probability book that's good for an econometrics phd course, try Dhrymes' Topics in Advanced Econometrics: Probability Foundations. If u're into asymptotic theory, u can pick up White's Asymptotic Theory for Econometricians. These books (among other books) are particularly helpful in a first (advanced) course in econometric theory

i'm currently reading Kolmogorov and Fomin's Elements of the Theory of Functions and Funtional Analysis and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to pick up analysis and a bit of measure theory..a nice book on dynamic programming is the original book of Bellman himself...i love Dover books! priceless books for such a cheap price!!

Panda77 · 2006 March 23rd, 03:04 PM

Southern_man: actually both; I have used books written in Italian as well as lecture notes written by profs again in Italian (actually is also quite common to have sets of lecture notes later published as a book too). I have also used the international edition of several American textbooks, but that was never for math courses.
There is a good 90% chance I’ll end up going at the University of Iowa.

TheBrothersKaramazov: yes, that’s what I heard too, Lay’s is an extremely well written introductory book. I have a feeling it will be quite too basic and easy, so if you have other suggestions of a book I could go over after Lay’s it would be more than welcome.

Zavera: how did you find out what the various schools use for their math review course? That really seems like a very good advice!

insuspense · 2006 March 23rd, 03:21 PM

I highly recommend Chiang for those who don't have a strong math background/haven't had math in a few years. Actually, I don't recommend Chiang so much as I recommend the 4th edition which just came out last year- Chiang & Wainwright. There are some differences in format (and in content) which I found to be very helpful. You can get the international paperback for 50% less than US version.

For a primer before jumping into Mas-Colell, Jehle/Ray (sp?) Advanced Micro is nice.

econosaur · 2006 March 23rd, 04:49 PM

I will throw my thoughts into the ring. Having completed 2/3 of my first year, I may be able to offer more advice than mere speculation.

For math, Simon and Blume is much too basic. At any top program it will be assumed that you know everything in the book. They will "review" some concepts in math camp, but if you're not familiar with them already, you will not be able to learn them from the cursory review they give. de la Fuente is a better bet, especially since it reviews correspondences (i.e. UHC/LHC which many people haven't seen before) and dynamic programming for macro. Glance through MWG's math appendix for an overview of every topic you should be familiar with. But don't get too worked up about all this. The amount of actual math you need to be able to recall on the spot is quite low. Most topics that the average student doesn't know will be covered in your classes. You will not use topology in any way the first year.

As for more econ type review, definitely skim over MWG. Find out what macro you'll be using and skim over that too. For metrics, you might think it will be fun to get a head start on measure theory, but you most likely won't be able to learn it on your own. And you probably won't need to anyway. For a solid probability review, check out Grimmett and Stirzaker. It is at the level of a first year grad course and you can buy the solution manual too. If you have a chance to really (and I mean really) learn a subject before classes start, make it probability. You will use it in every course and they never go over it thoroughly. Getting a handle on the fundamentals will really pay off in probability.

Zavera · 2006 March 23rd, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panda77

Zavera: how did you find out what the various schools use for their math review course? That really seems like a very good advice!

Easy man, I just called them up and asked them. They were all too happy to point me in the right direction.

Like for OSU, I called up the advisor there and sent me like 3 syllabi. I mean I figure reading material they are going to focus on beats randomly learning math because I know 100% I am focusing on exactly what I need.

reactor · 2006 March 23rd, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zavera

If you are going to review you math, I'd advise doing exactly what I am doing: just buy the book your department is going to use in order to review math and read that.

In my case, most of my departments are using De la Fluete and Chiang. So that is what I am reading. Don't even bother reading anything else when you can study what you know you will be using in the future.

Which school uses de la Fuente's book in the preliminary math camp?

We used recursive methods in economic dynamics but I think it was an extreme choice that many students could not follow.

2006 March 23rd, 03:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
Panda77 Wow, I have a new power! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Iowa City, IA Posts: 166	Southern_man: actually both; I have used books written in Italian as well as lecture notes written by profs again in Italian (actually is also quite common to have sets of lecture notes later published as a book too). I have also used the international edition of several American textbooks, but that was never for math courses. There is a good 90% chance I’ll end up going at the University of Iowa. TheBrothersKaramazov: yes, that’s what I heard too, Lay’s is an extremely well written introductory book. I have a feeling it will be quite too basic and easy, so if you have other suggestions of a book I could go over after Lay’s it would be more than welcome. Zavera: how did you find out what the various schools use for their math review course? That really seems like a very good advice! _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Did you like this post? Then remember to give me ‘REPUTATION’

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2006 March 23rd, 12:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
andyecon Within my grasp! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 348	I really like De La Fuente's book. You need more of a background for it, but I think you definitely have such a background. Also, if you need topology, I think the ol' standby is Munkres. It is really nice reading for such an abstract subject.

2006 March 23rd, 12:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
southern man Eager! Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 40	Does that mean you study books written in Italian, or does it mean that the lecturers give you notes in Italian and you never see a text book? Do you know where you are likely to be going for grad school?

2006 March 23rd, 01:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
Zavera Within my grasp! Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 251	If you are going to review you math, I'd advise doing exactly what I am doing: just buy the book your department is going to use in order to review math and read that. In my case, most of my departments are using De la Fluete and Chiang. So that is what I am reading. Don't even bother reading anything else when you can study what you know you will be using in the future.

2006 March 23rd, 01:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
TheBrothersKaramazov Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 416	Panda, I am using Lay's textbook for an intro to analysis class right now. You're correct - it is too basic. But I swear, it is the BEST written analysis textbook I have ever read. If you really read it, it teaches you how to do everything. Last year, I took the same course (but dropped it), and we used Binmore's real analysis textbook. The fundamental proof techniques were completely absent, and jumped right into the material. Use Lay's as an intro, and if you feel confident enough with it - DEFINITELY move onto something harder.

2006 March 23rd, 02:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
asianecon TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 523	if u want a nice probability book that's good for an econometrics phd course, try Dhrymes' Topics in Advanced Econometrics: Probability Foundations. If u're into asymptotic theory, u can pick up White's Asymptotic Theory for Econometricians. These books (among other books) are particularly helpful in a first (advanced) course in econometric theory i'm currently reading Kolmogorov and Fomin's Elements of the Theory of Functions and Funtional Analysis and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to pick up analysis and a bit of measure theory..a nice book on dynamic programming is the original book of Bellman himself...i love Dover books! priceless books for such a cheap price!!

2006 March 23rd, 03:21 PM	#17 (permalink)
insuspense Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 23	I highly recommend Chiang for those who don't have a strong math background/haven't had math in a few years. Actually, I don't recommend Chiang so much as I recommend the 4th edition which just came out last year- Chiang & Wainwright. There are some differences in format (and in content) which I found to be very helpful. You can get the international paperback for 50% less than US version. For a primer before jumping into Mas-Colell, Jehle/Ray (sp?) Advanced Micro is nice.

2006 March 23rd, 04:49 PM	#18 (permalink)
econosaur Eager! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 43	I will throw my thoughts into the ring. Having completed 2/3 of my first year, I may be able to offer more advice than mere speculation. For math, Simon and Blume is much too basic. At any top program it will be assumed that you know everything in the book. They will "review" some concepts in math camp, but if you're not familiar with them already, you will not be able to learn them from the cursory review they give. de la Fuente is a better bet, especially since it reviews correspondences (i.e. UHC/LHC which many people haven't seen before) and dynamic programming for macro. Glance through MWG's math appendix for an overview of every topic you should be familiar with. But don't get too worked up about all this. The amount of actual math you need to be able to recall on the spot is quite low. Most topics that the average student doesn't know will be covered in your classes. You will not use topology in any way the first year. As for more econ type review, definitely skim over MWG. Find out what macro you'll be using and skim over that too. For metrics, you might think it will be fun to get a head start on measure theory, but you most likely won't be able to learn it on your own. And you probably won't need to anyway. For a solid probability review, check out Grimmett and Stirzaker. It is at the level of a first year grad course and you can buy the solution manual too. If you have a chance to really (and I mean really) learn a subject before classes start, make it probability. You will use it in every course and they never go over it thoroughly. Getting a handle on the fundamentals will really pay off in probability.

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