Encounters between economics and mathematics
The mathematical models used in economics are recent, but their role has become predominant today (even if our decision-makers don't always make the effort to try to tame them). Applications and illustrations of the main mathematical domains interfere daily with decision and management systems, making them increasingly efficient. Using linear algebra or differential and integral calculus, the economist was forced to become a major user of mathematics. Using concrete examples, readers of Tangente are invited to understand these concepts, not always known to the general public.
All articles in this folder
The economist's toolkit: analysis | Tangente
Economics draws on several tools from mathematical analysis, including the derivative.
The saga of the Nobel Prizes 2 | Tangente
Let's discover three prize-winning economists whose work drew heavily on other fields
When economics illustrates matrix algebra
Economists' data can often be arranged in rectangular tables that can be manipulated according to precise rules tied to the mathematical concept of linearity. Matrix algebra can thus be illustrated with concrete examples drawn from economics.
From derivatives to elasticity
It is often useful to study the relationships between different economic quantities. One such question is how the quantity demanded of a good depends on its unit price…
What consumers prefer
How can we model the behavior of a particular consumer? Their tastes, needs and available budget all help shape their choice. The mathematical concepts of preference, indifference and utility should help us...
Formulas for public procurement
Fair competition, which follows from the Declaration of the Rights of Man, is, fortunately, the fundamental principle governing all public procurement. Yet the freedom to choose scoring formulas inevitably introduces an element of subjectivity.