Books to complement Mathematics for Economists (Blume)

**Baby Varian** · 07-29-2010, 11:25 PM

Hi,

I'm planning to study Mathematics for Economists on my own. I have a decent Calculus III and Linear Algebra background, but I've mostly forgotten about them. Although I'm taking other math courses right now (see my other thread (Math Advice for 3rd Year)), I want to make sure that I have a very thorough understanding of mathematical economics. I'm hoping to finish the book in 6 months.

Are there any particular weaknesses in this book? If so, are there books that can be used mitigate its weakness?

**kevinp123** · 07-30-2010, 05:58 PM

Check out "Further Mathematics for Economic Analysis" by Knut Sydsaeter, et. al. It has some pretty good sections on Dynamic Programming and Optimal Control.

**dreck** · 07-31-2010, 09:09 AM

Hmm, well there's Leonard and van Long, Takayama, and Efe Ok. I stole from a syllabus I remembered, so I cant attest to their quality. Efe Ok is perhaps as advanced as they come.

**oleador** · 07-31-2010, 11:25 AM

I'd suggest reading de la Fuente's Mathematical Methods and Models for Economists.
First it more rigorously treats most topics covered in Simon and Blume. Second it covers some important topics that S&B doesn't - e.g. dynamic programming and optimal control theory.
You also should study some real analysis (there are many threads here on book suggestions)

_nanashi · 07-31-2010, 07:07 PM

simon and blume will refresh your Cal III and Linear Algebra.

I'd never heard of De La Fuente, but taking a look it seems very good.

**Mr.Stochastic** · 08-01-2010, 02:35 PM

How does Sydsæther FMEA compare to Simon and Blume?
Is Sydsæther considered more rigorous? FMEA is shorter and appear to provide less depth than SImon and Blume.

**EconForeThought** · 08-01-2010, 07:05 PM

S&B is a great review book, but falls short of rigorous treatment of analysis. DLF covers much more and it is in fact the book used at Berkeley math camp.

**kevinp123** · 08-02-2010, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mr.Stochastic

How does Sydsæther FMEA compare to Simon and Blume?
Is Sydsæther considered more rigorous? FMEA is shorter and appear to provide less depth than SImon and Blume.

No, I was just pointing out that it seems to cover more dynamic programming than Simon and Blume, it's actually not very rigorous, but a very intuitive and useful book I think. However, after browsing the contents of De La Fuente, it seems to definitely be superior in terms of rigor and depth of material covered.