ECON 1111B

Mathematical Methods in Economics II

2nd Term, 2018-2019

 

Lecture Hours and Location:

Wed 2:30pm - 4:15pm (W07-08); CKB LT3

Instructor:  
    Office: Phone:  E-mail: 
  YUNG Chor-Wing Linda  ELB 1010 3943-8192  cwyung186@cuhk.edu.hk 
Teaching Assistants:        
    Office: Phone:  E-mail: 
BAO Lingmin ELB 1016 3943-8203 1155076575@link.cuhk.edu.hk
CHEN Xilu  ELB 1017  3943-8202  Chenxilu@link.cuhk.edu.hk
LAW Chun King John ELB 1017 3943-8202 1155049886@link.cuhk.edu.hk

ZENG Hanrui

 ELB 1017 3943-8202 hanruizeng@link.cuhk.edu.hk

 

    

 

Course Objective:  
The purpose of this course is to introduce the relevant mathematical tools and help students develop skills for formulating and applying mathematical models in analyzing economic problems.  

 

Course Description:  
This course is the second part of a 2 term course in which we will introduce basic mathematical tools that are indispensable in modern economics. Topics include integration, partial differentiation, implicit function method, optimization for multiple variable functions, and Lagrangian method. Economic applications are also covered, including equilibrium analysis, comparative statics, profit maximization, consumer demand, and dynamic analysis. Students should have knowledge of elementary calculus, and are advised to take ECO1101 before taking this course. Related economic applications will also be discussed.  

 

Recommended Textbooks: Stewart J., 2015, Calculus, 8th edition, Cengage Learning
  Chiang, Alpha C. and Kevin Wainwright, 2005, Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics, 4th edition, McGraw-Hill. [CW]
Supplementary Reference:

Sydaeter K., and P. Hammond, 2012, Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis, 4th edition, Prentice Hall. [SH]

 
Course Assessment Scheme:
Quizzes 10%
In-class assignments 10%
Mid-term 35%
Final 45%

 

Course Activities:
  • Tutorials and Problem Sets

Weekly problem sets will be posted on the class Blackboard as we go along. Problem sets will NOT count towards your grade. However, it is an essential adjunct to the lecture material, and will assist you in preparing for the exams. Therefore, it is very important that you work on your own before tutorial class. Tutorials will start on the third week of class. It will go through some of the assignments.

  • Quizzes
2 short quizzes will be given during class on 20thFeb 2019 and 10th Apr 2019 respectively to assess the understanding of the lecture material. All quizzes are equally weighted. There will be no makeup quizzes.
  • Mid-term ( 6th Mar, 2019) 6:30pm - 8:15pm, YIA LT1
Please note carefully the date, time and venue of the mid-term; there will be no makeup exam for the mid-term.  This is not negotiable.  If you miss the mid-term, due to a documented illness or emergency, and have received my approval prior to the mid-term exam, your final exam score will receive the weight of the mid-term in addition to its own weight. 
  • Final  (time and date will be announced later)

Final will be arranged by the University, please observe the date and venue.  The University has very strict regulations on how the final exam works. So please make sure you can make it.

For exchange students, please note that early departure is NOT a valid reason for not taking the final examination at the time scheduled by the University.

Course Content and Tentative Schedule:
Week Topic Contents Readings
1-2 Integral Calculus Indefinite Integral, Integration Rules, Definite Integral, Improper Integral, Applications  [CW] Ch. 14.
3,5 Differentiation (Multiple Variable Function) Partial Differentiation, Differential, Total Differentiation, Implicit Function Method, Simulaneous-Equation, Comparative-Static Analysis, Applications [CW] Ch. 7 and 8. 
6-8 Unconstrained Optimization (Multiple-Variable Case) First-Order Condition, Hessian Matrix and Second-Order Condition, Concave and Convex Functions, Global Extremum, Convex Set, Applications [CW] Ch. 11.
10-13 Optimization with Equality Constraints Lagrangian Method, Interpretation of Lagrangian Multiplier, First-Order Conditions, Bordered Hessian and Second-Order Conditions, Quasiconcave and Quasiconvex Functions, Utility Maximization and Consumer Demand, Cost Minimization, Homogenous Functions, Euler Theorem, Applications [CW] Ch. 12
14-15 Optimization with Inequality Constraints Indirect Objective Function, Unconstrained Optimization, Profit Function and Hotelling's Lemma, Constrained Optimization, Indirect Utility and Roy's Identity [CW] Ch. 13.

Grade Descriptors: 

Grade

Descriptions

A / A-

Outstanding/Generally outstanding performance on all learning outcomes.

B+ / B / B-

Substantial performance on all learning outcomes, OR high performance on some learning outcomes which compensates for less satisfactory performance on others, resulting in overall substantial performance.

C+ / C / C-

Satisfactory performance on the majority of learning outcomes, possibly with a few weaknesses

D+ / D

Barely satisfactory performance on a number of learning outcomes

F

Unsatisfactory performance on a number of learning outcomes, OR failure to meet specified assessment requirements.

 
Note: 

Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/ .

With each assignment, students will be required to submit a signed declaration that they are aware of these policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures. For group projects, all students of the same group should be asked to sign on the declaration.

For assignments in the form of a computer-generated document that is principally text-based and submitted via VeriGuide, the statement, in the form of a receipt, will be issued by the system upon students' uploading of the soft copy of the assignment.  Assignments without the receipt will not be graded by teachers. Only the final version of the assignment should be submitted via VeriGuide.