ECO 5309-501 Mathematical Economics - Fall, 2005

Tuesday, 7:00-9:45PM in Classroom Building West Room 102

Instructor: Dan O'Brien email: obri@utdallas.edu

Office hours: Tuesday, 2-3 PM phone: 972-883-4700
or by appointment office: GR 3.824

This course develops the basic mathematical tools required for the advanced study of
economics. Its purpose is to introduce and practice the application of mathematical
methods and concepts to prepare students for an in-depth study of econometrics,
microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students should have a basic understanding of
calculus, statistics, mathematical analysis, notation and proofs. Each student is expected
to read and study the assigned material, participate in class discussion, and to complete
in-class and weekly assignments.

Weeks 1-2 Introduction, basics

Definitions, review, notation, basic skills such as sets, numbers, proofs,

functions, derivatives, differentiability, continuity, trigonometric
functions, complex numbers, difference equations, calculus, basic
probability definitions, exponents, composite functions, inverse functions,
Lagrangian analysis, and Taylor series expansion.

Chapters 1-5, Appendices A.1-A.5

Weeks 3-5 Linear Algebra

Using, understanding and manipulating matrices including a discussion of

systems of linear equations, matrix notation, matrix operations, partitioned
matrices, determinants and their uses, vectors, inner product, linear
independence.

Chapters 6-11

Weeks 6-7 Sets, limits and calculus

Discussion and working with limits, open and closed sets, quadratic forms,
onto and one-to-one functions, inverse functions, the total derivative,
gradients, implicit functions.

Chapters 12-15

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 ECO 5309-501 Mathematical Economics - Fall, 2005
Tuesday, 7:00-9:45PM in Classroom Building West Room 102

Weeks 8-9 Optimization

Unconstrained and constrained optimization including a discussion of

quadratic forms, convexity, global and local maxima and minima,
constraints, Kuhn-Tucker, the envelope theorem, homogeneous and
homothetic functions, quasi-concavity.

Chapters 16-22

Weeks 10-13 Additional useful topics

Topics of interest including eigenvalues, eigenvectors, symmetric

matrices, differential equations, the use of determinant s, vector spaces,
linear independence, limits and compact sets, Weirstrass's theorem, mean
value theorem, more on Taylor series.

Chapters 23-30

Class grades will be determined by homework assignments and an optional final exam.
Each assignment will be graded as A, B or C based on the application of course content,
completeness and accuracy. Grades across all homework assignments will be averaged
to produce a final grade. An optional exam will be available for students who wish to
improve their final grade and will result in up to a complete letter grade improvement.

The University's policy on academic dishonesty, such as cheating on exams or plagiarism

will be strictly enforced. If you have a question concerning potential violations, please
contact me at once.

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