Mathematical Analysis for Economists

Description:

Monday 7th, Monday 14th and Monday 21st September 2015, 9am to 6pm

The object of the course is to introduce some of the topics in mathematical analysis that are important in economics, and to train the participants to write correct accurate and precise mathematics. A rigorous style will be adopted, similar to that in undergraduate mathematics courses.

The new material will be presented in morning sessions; the pace may be fast, and students will be expected to prepare by doing some prescribed reading. Since the key to understanding mathematics is problem-solving, most afternoon sessions will be devoted to the discussion of problem sheets in small groups.

The course begins with a discussion of mathematical exposition, the roles of necessary and sufficient conditions and quantifiers, and the importance of clear syntax. Strategies for problem-solving will be covered: how one proceeds from experimentation to precise argument and what proof techniques are available.

The main mathematical topics to be covered will be metric space theory, and, on the way, some of the topics from a traditional first-year Oxbridge analysis course: convergence of sequences and series, continuous functions, differentiable functions, intermediate and mean-value theorems, Taylor's theorem, power series, spaces of continuous functions.

Most of the reading will come from Rudin's `Principles of Modern Analysis`, third edition, which is available free of charge online.

Participants are expected to attend the full three days of the course.
 

Booking information:

We anticipate high demand for this course and places are limited. To apply for a place on this course, please contact Robin McGahey on  skills-training@socsci.ox.ac.uk, sending a full academic CV.

Closing date for applications is Friday 3rd July 2015.

Cost:

External students: £90

Website and registration:

researchtraining.socsci.ox.ac.uk

Region:

South East

Keywords:

Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, mathematical analysis, economics

Related publications and presentations:

Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis

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