[.ca] Mathematics For Economists, 2nd Ed. (ISBN 0719075394)

Excellent for Non-Quant Geek Economics Students:
This book is a gentle introduction to the math used in microeconomics at advanced undergrad or graduate levels. The book assumes nothing or at least very little in the way of math preparation. The authors could point out more pitfalls, but these two mathematics professors write beautifully and simply about what is, for some of us, a complicated topic. They start with things as simple as Cartesian graphs and they move on through calculus, differential equations and various forms of linear and matrix algebra. The econ examples are excellent and concise, but are basic and not of theoretical interest. No one is going to learn Cournot monopoly theory or auction theory here, but you will learn how to read a book like Wolfstetter's Topics in Microeconomics without wishing you could throttle the excessively brief and cryptic author of that interesting text. One wishes in general that economists could write like the authors of this book, but they can't. Nowhere have I seen such obtuse notation and heartless math presentation as in microeconomic theory. But econ is micro, and even if a lot of microeconomists can't teach, write, or present math, they are the roadblock to understanding much of finance, applied game theory, and matters of technical management and public policy. This book covers continuous and static analysis tools, not probability or statistics in any detail. It is truly innovative among the books I have seen in treating mathematical economics. Micro theory is the flunk-out course for econ majors. This book could get most through. A patient non-quantitative person can learn it right out of the book without lectures or high anxiety. I suspect the seriously macho econ folks will hide the fact that they own it, but they would probably benefit too at least from topics where they stumble a bit or feel a slight discomfort. It would also be a worthwhile text for Ph.D. candidates who want to prepare for comprehensive exams either oral or written, or for people like economic sociologists who vaguely wish to be taken seriously.