Mathematical Economics- I

Paper Code: 
25DECO 501A
Credits: 
6
Contact Hours: 
90.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
  1. To apply mathematical techniques to consumer behavior.
  2. To apply mathematical techniques to the theory of firms.
  3. To understand the price & output determination under Perfect Competition mathematically.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

Learning outcome (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies 

Course Code

Course Title

25DECO 501A

Mathematical Economics-I

(Theory)

Students will:

CO25:analyze consumer behaviour, mathematically

CO26: evaluate the nature of relationships between key economic variables pertaining to consumers by mathematically interpreting relevant microeconomic theories.

CO27:evaluate production decisions of  firms by applying mathematical techniques

CO28: evaluate different types of production functions and their effect on cost and input decisions of a firm through their mathematical analysis

CO29: evaluate the production decisions of a perfectly competitive firm,mathematically

CO30: contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in teaching: Interactive Lectures and Discussions.

 

Learning activities for the students:

Practice Modules and

Assignments.

Class activity, Assignments and Semester end examinations.

 

18.00
Unit I: 
Theory of Consumer Behaviour-I
  • Nature of the utility function
  • Properties of indifference curves
  • Rate of commodity substitution
  • Maximization of utility
  • Derivation of ordinary and compensated demand functions
  • Different types of utility functions

 

18.00
Unit II: 
Theory of Consumer Behaviour-II
  • Price, income and cross price elasticity of demand; nature of goods
  • Relationship between elasticity, MR and TR
  • Income and leisure-derivation of labour supply function and its properties
  • Slutsky Equation- Derivation for two commodity case, its elasticity form, Direct and Cross effects, Substitutes and Complements

 

18.00
Unit III: 
Theory of Firm-I

(All the concepts covered under unit III and unit IV shall be illustrated with the help of Cobb-Douglas production function).

·       Production function – definition and nature

·       Isoquant – definition, slope and MRTS; Isocost line

·       Optimizing behavior of firm- constrained output maximization, constrained cost minimization and profit maximization

Elasticity of substitution – definition and measurement 

18.00
Unit IV: 
Theory of Firm-II
  • Homogeneous Production Functions- definition and properties
  • Linearly homogeneous production function
  • Euler’s theorem
  • Derivation of cost and input demand function from Cobb Douglas Production Function
  • Properties of Cobb-Douglas production Function

 

 

18.00
Unit V: 
Perfect Competition
  • Perfect Competition - characteristics
  • Short run and long run equilibrium of firm and industry
  • Derivation of supply function
  •  Effects of various taxes
  • Equilibrium – definition, existence and uniqueness
  • Stability of equilibrium- static stability and dynamic stability (Cobweb model)

 

Essential Readings: 
  1. Henderson, J.M. and Quandt, R. E., Microeconomic Theory: A Mathematical Approach, McGraw Hill, 1980.
  2. Chiang, A. C., Wainwright, K., Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics, McGraw Hill, 4th Edition, 2005.

 

References: 

Suggested Readings:

  1. Mehta, B.C.andMadnani, GMK, Mathematics for Economists, Sultan Chand & Sons, 2008.
  2. Mehta, B.C., Mathematical Economics: Microeconomic Models, S. Chand & Sons.

E Resource:

  • Consumption duality | Consumption

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmORFrNr3gM

Journal:

International Journal of Mathematics and statistics

http://www.ceser.in/ceserp/index.php/ijms

 

Academic Session: 
2025-26
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