<p>Economics in undergraduate and graduate programs already contain a non negliglible amount of maths. Mathematics are at the core of modern orthodox economics.</p>

<p>I would propose you to have a look at the general textbooks for undergraduates/graduates in economics. You will find an extensive use of maths in some of them. If you are interested in theory <em>Microeconomic Theory</em> (by Mas-Collel, Whinston and Green) is a masterpiece.
<em>Introductory Econometrics</em> (by Woolridge) may be relevant if you are interested in applied econometrics.</p>

<p>This is not an exhaustive list of course.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-29T18:06:28.400Z
MWG, Mankiw and Baby Wooldridge is an odd combination of books to recommend.
Theoretical Economist
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-30T10:11:44.410Z
Yes you are right. I will be more specific.
GuiWil
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-29T17:46:42.020Z
2016-11-30T10:17:10.753Z
2016-11-30T10:17:10.753Z
GuiWil
<p>In the preface, Takayama writes that the book was written with the intention to keep the prerequisites to a minimum: elementary calculus and matrix algebra. </p>

<p>Perhaps he was exaggerating a little, but I suspect, after skimming the table of contents, that knowledge of the aforementioned subjects and experience working with (i.e. reading/understanding and independently constructing) mathematical proofs should be enough.</p>

<p>I'm assuming you've taken calculus and linear algebra -- in which case you might want to get more experience with working with proofs. I'm quite fond of Axler's <a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/3319110799" rel="nofollow">Linear Algebra Done Right</a>, and I've heard good things about Abbott's <a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1493950266" rel="nofollow">Understanding Analysis</a>. </p>

<p>If you haven't studied those two subjects, work on learning those first. You can try the two textbooks I suggested to do so, but that might be a bit rough-going. I'm sure your math teacher might have more helpful suggestions for a first reference to learn calculus and matrix algebra from.</p>

<p>I think with a bit of what mathematicians like to call 'mathematical maturity', you should be able to manage Takayama just fine.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-30T20:56:25.860Z
Thank you very much for your detailed response. I shall get to work immediately!
Student
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-29T18:05:13.880Z
2016-11-29T22:30:53.680Z
2016-11-29T22:30:53.680Z
Theoretical Economist
<p>I am a high school student with keen interest in mathematics and economics. I wish to study mathematical economics, but most of the books I have encountered begin with quite advanced mathematics. In particular, Mathematical Economics by Akira Takayama begins with Nonlinear Programming [Concave Programming, Differentiation and Unconstrained Maximum Problem and Quasi Saddle Point Charecterization]. Frankly, I find myself at sea while trying to understand this content. Could someone please recommend what prerequisites one must have in order to fully understand books of such caliber.  </p>

<reference-request><self-study>
What are the prerequisites to study Mathematical Economics?
Student
# What are the prerequisites to study Mathematical Economics?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-11-29)

I am a high school student with keen interest in mathematics and economics. I wish to study mathematical economics, but most of the books I have encountered begin with quite advanced mathematics. In particular, Mathematical Economics by Akira Takayama begins with Nonlinear Programming [Concave Programming, Differentiation and Unconstrained Maximum Problem and Quasi Saddle Point Charecterization]. Frankly, I find myself at sea while trying to understand this content. Could someone please recommend what prerequisites one must have in order to fully understand books of such caliber.

**Tags:** reference-request, self-study


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-11-29. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

In the preface, Takayama writes that the book was written with the intention to keep the prerequisites to a minimum: elementary calculus and matrix algebra.

Perhaps he was exaggerating a little, but I suspect, after skimming the table of contents, that knowledge of the aforementioned subjects and experience working with (i.e. reading/understanding and independently constructing) mathematical proofs should be enough.

I'm assuming you've taken calculus and linear algebra -- in which case you might want to get more experience with working with proofs. I'm quite fond of Axler's [Linear Algebra Done Right](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/3319110799), and I've heard good things about Abbott's [Understanding Analysis](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1493950266).

If you haven't studied those two subjects, work on learning those first. You can try the two textbooks I suggested to do so, but that might be a bit rough-going. I'm sure your math teacher might have more helpful suggestions for a first reference to learn calculus and matrix algebra from.

I think with a bit of what mathematicians like to call 'mathematical maturity', you should be able to manage Takayama just fine.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you very much for your detailed response. I shall get to work immediately!  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2016-11-29. Score: 0

Economics in undergraduate and graduate programs already contain a non negliglible amount of maths. Mathematics are at the core of modern orthodox economics.

I would propose you to have a look at the general textbooks for undergraduates/graduates in economics. You will find an extensive use of maths in some of them. If you are interested in theory *Microeconomic Theory* (by Mas-Collel, Whinston and Green) is a masterpiece.
*Introductory Econometrics* (by Woolridge) may be relevant if you are interested in applied econometrics.

This is not an exhaustive list of course.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: MWG, Mankiw and Baby Wooldridge is an odd combination of books to recommend.  
> **username_1**: Yes you are right. I will be more specific.  

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