ECON/AMS 11A - Mathematical Methods for Economics, I - is an introduction to differential calculus in one variable, and its applications to economics.

The course begins with a very brief review of some important, precalculus topics. In particular, we review the properties of the exponential and logarithm functions, and the basics of solving equations and systems of equations.

Differential calculus itself begins with the mathematical concept of a limit. We use limits to define the important concepts of continuity and differentiability, and we learn to compute the derivatives of the common functions that we use to model economic variables, i.e., polynomials, power functions, exponential functions, logarithm functions, and combinations of these functions. Other technical topics include implicit differentiation, Taylor polynomials and Taylor approximation.

While mastering the technical aspects of differentiation, we also learn how differential calculus is applied to economics. Applications include marginal analysis, elasticity, and optimization in one variable, (which means finding the maximum and minimum values of functions).

This course is followed by ECON/AMS 11B, which covers integral calculus in one variable and differential calculus in several variables.

Textbook:
Introductory Mathematical Analysis for Business, Economics and the Life and Social Sciences,
12th edition  or   UCSC custom edition, by Haeussler, Paul and Wood. Available at Bay Tree Books.

11A covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time. To do well in the class, I recommend the following.

1. Attend all lectures.
2. Go to your section every week for additional review and practice (see below).
3. READ THE BOOK (and the supplemental notes)! The textbook is not just a repository for homework problems. You should read the appropriate sections in the text BEFORE we talk about them in lecture, and then read them again after lecture. Read actively - by this I mean that you should follow the text with paper and pencil, work out the details of the examples, supplement your class notes with material from the book, annotate the book with comments from your class notes, etc.
4. Don't do all your studying in one or two blocks - study 1-2 hours a day, reviewing your class notes, doing some of the homework, studying the review questions, etc. All in all, you should expect to spend 10 hours or more studying outside of class each week.
5. In addition to studying by yourself, spend several hours a week studying with 1-3 friends - take turns explaining the material to each other, quizzing each other and showing each other how to solve problems.
6. Use all the resources:
   • For extra help with homework, go to MSI.
   • Visit me or your TA during our office hours to clear up any questions you have about the material as soon as they arise.
   • Ask questions in lecture/section.

Sections

Attendance is not mandatory, however it is highly recommended! I don't take attendance in lectures, but the TAs will take attendance in section (see the comment about intangibles below) and they will also note who participates. Mathematics is learned by doing, and the point of the sections is to give you the opportunity to practice with some guidance. In sections you will be reviewing the material through exercises and problems. (You might also get some help with the homework, time allowing, but that is not the main purpose of section, we have MSI for that.)

Your grade in the course depends on your midterm scores, your score on the final exam and your homework. There will be three midterm exams, a comprehensive final exam and 10 homework assignments. See the schedule above for exam dates, and the homework page for more information on the homework assignments.

More specifically your grade is computed as follows:

• First, I compute the weighted average of your scores on the three midterms and your homework (25% for each midterm, and 25% for homework). This gives your protection score, P.
• If P is higher than your score on the final exam, F, then your score in the course is G=(0.65)P+(0.35)F.
• If F is higher than P, then your score in the course is G=(0.35)P+(0.65)F.

Finally, your letter grade is determined from G, according to the following approximate ranges.

• A: 90% - 100%.
• B: 80% - 89%.
• C: 65% - 79%.
• D: 55% - 64%.
• F: 0% - 54%.

There are small variations in these ranges from quarter to quarter, but usually no more than 1%-3% in either direction. Also, intangibles, (e.g., improvement throughout the quarter, or attendance and participation in section), can help in borderline cases.