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patrickmtl · 2009 October 30th, 02:05 PM

ok, this is related to grad school in that this is my last semester before apps and i need to ace advanced micro... anyway, does anyone have a good resource for practice problems for advanced micro? we use varian, which has some questions, but i dont have any answers.

thanks

tomal1134 · 2009 October 30th, 02:22 PM

Microeconomic analysis of varian is good, but i think it lacks intuition (intermediate microeconomics was great in that respect). You can start Microeconomic analysis by MWG if you have enough patience and had done some real analysis before.

Andronicus · 2009 October 30th, 05:35 PM

Perhaps Varian's intermediate text might be helpful for intuition?

oleador · 2009 October 30th, 05:48 PM

I've heard Kreps is good for intuition, though I've never read it. We use mostly Varian and MWG.

moneyandcredit · 2009 October 30th, 07:49 PM

If you want intuition, but want to keep the calculus, you can try Nicholson. That's what we use (officially), even though we tend to actually do our studying from Varian's Analysis.

SlowLearner38 · 2009 October 30th, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andronicus

Perhaps Varian's intermediate text might be helpful for intuition?

I agree. With older editions costing less than $10, I think everyone should have a copy of Varian's Intermediate Microeconomics text.

However, the original poster's problem doesn't seem to be with finding a textbook with intuitive descriptions.

asquare · 2009 October 30th, 10:27 PM

There's a very good workbook by Varian that is intended as a companion to his intermediate text. That might be a good starting point.

2010app9357 · 2009 October 30th, 11:36 PM

The varian workbook is worth its weight in gold. Even more of Hal's enjoyable mix of calculus and dry humor.

patrickmtl · 2009 October 31st, 04:42 AM

You know my intermediate course used baby varian, and i have the workbook. But baby varian is all about intuition... which is actually not at all my problem. Its the more the gap between the math and the intuition.

Do Nicholson or MWG have good practice problems with answers? Cause thats what im looking for.

thanks again.

walt526 · 2009 October 31st, 05:22 AM

I don't believe Nicholson has answers to any of the problems. It's not very many problems. In my Nicholson-based course, the professor assigned problems that he had written up.

MWG doesn't include solutions either, but the solutions manual can found via Google/eBay/Amazon (although IIRC the proofs are just sketches--depending on the professor, you'd probably need to include a more detailed explanation). It's quite a leap in difficulty from Varian to MWG, though.

You might also find that some micro prelim exams offer good practice. Some of those are available online with suggested solutions. Some of the lower ranked programs use Varian rather than MWG.

2009 October 30th, 02:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
patrickmtl Within my grasp! Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 103	advanced micro help... ok, this is related to grad school in that this is my last semester before apps and i need to ace advanced micro... anyway, does anyone have a good resource for practice problems for advanced micro? we use varian, which has some questions, but i dont have any answers. thanks

2009 October 30th, 05:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Andronicus The better metal snake! Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 429	Perhaps Varian's intermediate text might be helpful for intuition? _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Attending The Ohio State University

2009 October 30th, 05:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
oleador Within my grasp! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 129	I've heard Kreps is good for intuition, though I've never read it. We use mostly Varian and MWG. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ attending UPF (MSc Economics)

2009 October 30th, 07:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
moneyandcredit Slumdog Quintillionaire! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 243	If you want intuition, but want to keep the calculus, you can try Nicholson. That's what we use (officially), even though we tend to actually do our studying from Varian's Analysis. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Full Profile -- Attending: Cal State MA. Long-Term Goal: PhD Economics (+JD?), or Property/Casualty Actuary GRE 790Q / 720V / 5.0AWA -- Undergrad GPA 4.00 Econ / 3.77 Last 66 Units Overall (3.95 if you don't count one unauthorized withdrawal) / 3.27 Total Overall moneyandcredit: I don't know where the department comes off calling the microeconomic theory class "advanced"... I got a supplemental copy of Mas-Colell for kicks and giggles. SlowLearner38: That's because a lot of TM-smug has rubbed off on you.

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2009 October 30th, 02:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
tomal1134 Within my grasp! Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 188	Microeconomic analysis of varian is good, but i think it lacks intuition (intermediate microeconomics was great in that respect). You can start Microeconomic analysis by MWG if you have enough patience and had done some real analysis before.

2009 October 30th, 10:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
asquare TestMagic Guru Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ann Arbor Posts: 1,725	There's a very good workbook by Varian that is intended as a companion to his intermediate text. That might be a good starting point.

2009 October 30th, 11:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
2010app9357 ... Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 17	The varian workbook is worth its weight in gold. Even more of Hal's enjoyable mix of calculus and dry humor.

2009 October 31st, 04:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
patrickmtl Within my grasp! Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 103	You know my intermediate course used baby varian, and i have the workbook. But baby varian is all about intuition... which is actually not at all my problem. Its the more the gap between the math and the intuition. Do Nicholson or MWG have good practice problems with answers? Cause thats what im looking for. thanks again.

2009 October 31st, 05:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
walt526 TestMagic Guru Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,308	I don't believe Nicholson has answers to any of the problems. It's not very many problems. In my Nicholson-based course, the professor assigned problems that he had written up. MWG doesn't include solutions either, but the solutions manual can found via Google/eBay/Amazon (although IIRC the proofs are just sketches--depending on the professor, you'd probably need to include a more detailed explanation). It's quite a leap in difficulty from Varian to MWG, though. You might also find that some micro prelim exams offer good practice. Some of those are available online with suggested solutions. Some of the lower ranked programs use Varian rather than MWG.

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