What kind of calculus does Economics use?

Question

How much calculus does economics use? I haven't taken calculus yet (but I took PreCalculus quite a couple of years ago). I'm planning on taking more econ classes. So I'm wondering..how much calculus does econ use and what kinds of calculus is used? What should I study (in calc) to prepare for more econ? :D I've taken intro micro and intro macro and may take another econ class. thanks ^^

Answer 1

Math is a system derived from pure logic. But calculus is a system That takes probability into effect, While it may have contingencies and ends in it's own definition, without actual fact our definition becomes obscure. With over 6,000,000,000 variables(people) I find this hard to calculate.

Answer 2

This answer isn't going to help.

Calculus is based on the idea that the graph of the function is continuous. That is, a deman function is continuoous and smooth. However, human behavior is not continuous, it is not smooth, and it is not thrice differnetiable.

These math guys have infiltrated economics with their math that simply does not have any place. Demand graphs are drawn as straight lines are curves, however, there is no reason for this. It could just as easily be a greatest interger function; it could be any sort of "step function." The only requirement is that it must be increasing.

But, math is a very good thing to know. It is an essential for the good liberal artist. So, try these sites:

http://www.mathtutor.ac.uk/viewdisks.php

This is a great site from MIT, complete with lecture videos (for many classes,) lecture notes (for most classes,) and worked-out tests (for nearly all classes.)

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/courses/co...

Answer 3

Economics is also psychology. You should weave in the understanding of how people act/react to economic issues. Its not all mathematics, because in the end somebody with a heart, a soul, and a desire for a better life is at the core of every economic transaction.

Answer 4

There is a bit of differential and integral calculus, but economics is much closer to statistics in advanced courses. If you want to know what kind of math to go with: do differential, then integral, then multi-variable, and finally start switching into statistics.

As for the best place to learn more about calculus, I'm not too sure. The best place to start would be intro to calculus class. Short of that a general intro to calculus textbook would be good, but they tend to be dense and hard to read without an instructor shoving it down your throat. You might try an applied calculus textbook, they tend to cover the same stuff in less detail but are much easier to read through. They aren't as comprehensive in theory as a normal calculus textbook, but for economics it doesn't really matter.

And AAAAAAAA should stick to things he knows about.

Answer 5

Depends on how far you are going with the econ but I don't remember using calculus in but maybe one or two undergraduate classes.

Answer 6

none. Mathematics is a pure science. Economics is NOT a science.

aww... did I hurt your feelings about your "B.S." in economics.