Optimization in Economic Theory


Book Description

Building on a base of simple economic theory and elementary linear algebra and calculus, this broad treatment of static and dynamic optimization methods discusses the importance of shadow prices, and reviews functions defined by solutions of optimization problems. Recently revised and expanded, the second edition will be a valuable resource for upper level undergraduate and graduate students.




Mathematical Optimization and Economic Theory


Book Description

A classic account of mathematical programming and control techniques and their applications to static and dynamic problems in economics.




Mathematical Optimization and Economic Analysis


Book Description

"Mathematical Optimization and Economic Analysis" is a self-contained introduction to various optimization techniques used in economic modeling and analysis such as geometric, linear, and convex programming and data envelopment analysis. Through a systematic approach, this book demonstrates the usefulness of these mathematical tools in quantitative and qualitative economic analysis. The book presents specific examples to demonstrate each technique’s advantages and applicability as well as numerous applications of these techniques to industrial economics, regulatory economics, trade policy, economic sustainability, production planning, and environmental policy. Key Features include: - A detailed presentation of both single-objective and multiobjective optimization; - An in-depth exposition of various applied optimization problems; - Implementation of optimization tools to improve the accuracy of various economic models; - Extensive resources suggested for further reading. This book is intended for graduate and postgraduate students studying quantitative economics, as well as economics researchers and applied mathematicians. Requirements include a basic knowledge of calculus and linear algebra, and a familiarity with economic modeling.




Optimal Control Theory and Static Optimization in Economics


Book Description

Optimal control theory is a technique being used increasingly by academic economists to study problems involving optimal decisions in a multi-period framework. This textbook is designed to make the difficult subject of optimal control theory easily accessible to economists while at the same time maintaining rigour. Economic intuitions are emphasized, and examples and problem sets covering a wide range of applications in economics are provided to assist in the learning process. Theorems are clearly stated and their proofs are carefully explained. The development of the text is gradual and fully integrated, beginning with simple formulations and progressing to advanced topics such as control parameters, jumps in state variables, and bounded state space. For greater economy and elegance, optimal control theory is introduced directly, without recourse to the calculus of variations. The connection with the latter and with dynamic programming is explained in a separate chapter. A second purpose of the book is to draw the parallel between optimal control theory and static optimization. Chapter 1 provides an extensive treatment of constrained and unconstrained maximization, with emphasis on economic insight and applications. Starting from basic concepts, it derives and explains important results, including the envelope theorem and the method of comparative statics. This chapter may be used for a course in static optimization. The book is largely self-contained. No previous knowledge of differential equations is required.




Mathematical Methods of Game and Economic Theory


Book Description

Mathematical economics and game theory approached with the fundamental mathematical toolbox of nonlinear functional analysis are the central themes of this text. Both optimization and equilibrium theories are covered in full detail. The book's central application is the fundamental economic problem of allocating scarce resources among competing agents, which leads to considerations of the interrelated applications in game theory and the theory of optimization. Mathematicians, mathematical economists, and operations research specialists will find that it provides a solid foundation in nonlinear functional analysis. This text begins by developing linear and convex analysis in the context of optimization theory. The treatment includes results on the existence and stability of solutions to optimization problems as well as an introduction to duality theory. The second part explores a number of topics in game theory and mathematical economics, including two-person games, which provide the framework to study theorems of nonlinear analysis. The text concludes with an introduction to non-linear analysis and optimal control theory, including an array of fixed point and subjectivity theorems that offer powerful tools in proving existence theorems.




Optimization in Economics and Finance


Book Description

Some recent developments in the mathematics of optimization, including the concepts of invexity and quasimax, have not yet been applied to models of economic growth, and to finance and investment. Their applications to these areas are shown in this book.




A First Course in Optimization Theory


Book Description

This book, first published in 1996, introduces students to optimization theory and its use in economics and allied disciplines. The first of its three parts examines the existence of solutions to optimization problems in Rn, and how these solutions may be identified. The second part explores how solutions to optimization problems change with changes in the underlying parameters, and the last part provides an extensive description of the fundamental principles of finite- and infinite-horizon dynamic programming. Each chapter contains a number of detailed examples explaining both the theory and its applications for first-year master's and graduate students. 'Cookbook' procedures are accompanied by a discussion of when such methods are guaranteed to be successful, and, equally importantly, when they could fail. Each result in the main body of the text is also accompanied by a complete proof. A preliminary chapter and three appendices are designed to keep the book mathematically self-contained.




Mathematical Analysis and Optimization for Economists


Book Description

In Mathematical Analysis and Optimization for Economists, the author aims to introduce students of economics to the power and versatility of traditional as well as contemporary methodologies in mathematics and optimization theory; and, illustrates how these techniques can be applied in solving microeconomic problems. This book combines the areas of intermediate to advanced mathematics, optimization, and microeconomic decision making, and is suitable for advanced undergraduates and first-year graduate students. This text is highly readable, with all concepts fully defined, and contains numerous detailed example problems in both mathematics and microeconomic applications. Each section contains some standard, as well as more thoughtful and challenging, exercises. Solutions can be downloaded from the CRC Press website. All solutions are detailed and complete. Features Contains a whole spectrum of modern applicable mathematical techniques, many of which are not found in other books of this type. Comprehensive and contains numerous and detailed example problems in both mathematics and economic analysis. Suitable for economists and economics students with only a minimal mathematical background. Classroom-tested over the years when the author was actively teaching at the University of Hartford. Serves as a beginner text in optimization for applied mathematics students. Accompanied by several electronic chapters on linear algebra and matrix theory, nonsmooth optimization, economic efficiency, and distance functions available for free on www.routledge.com/9780367759018.




Mathematics for Stability and Optimization of Economic Systems


Book Description

Economic Theory and Mathematical Economics: Mathematics for Stability and Optimization of Economic Systems provides information pertinent to the stability aspects and optimization methods relevant to various economic systems. This book presents relevant mathematical theorems sufficient to develop important economic systems, including Leontief input–output systems, Keynesian dynamic models, the Ramsey optimal accumulation systems, and von Neumann expanding economic systems. Organized into two parts encompassing nine chapters, this book begins with an overview of useful theorems on matrices, eigenvalue problems, and matrices with dominant diagonals and P-matrices. This text then explores the linear transformations on vector spaces. Other chapters consider the Hawkins–Simon theorem concerning non-negative linear systems. This book discusses as well the dual linear relations and optimization methods applicable to inequality economic systems. The final chapter deals with powerful optimal control method for dynamical systems. This book is a valuable resource for mathematicians, economists, research workers, and graduate students.




Optimisation in Economic Analysis


Book Description

One of the fundamental economic problems is one of making the best use of limited resources. As a result, mathematical optimisation methods play a crucial role in economic theory. Covering the use of such methods in applied and policy contexts, this book deals not only with the main techniques (linear programming, nonlinear optimisation and dynamic programming), but also emphasizes the art of model-building and discusses fields such as optimisation over time.