Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis, 7th edition

Published by Pearson (May 7, 2026) © 2026
  • Knut Sydsaeter
  • Peter Hammond
  • Arne Strom
  • Andrés Carvajal

Title overview

This global bestseller offers a comprehensive, intermediate-level introduction to the math tools needed for the study of Economics. It moves from elementary calculus to advanced topics, with abundant worked examples, exercises, and economic applications to build skills and show real-world relevance.

This edition comes with a Companion Website.

Also available with MyLab Math

Hallmark Features in This title

A wide range of mathematical techniques offers your students essential knowledge from theory to practice.

  • Comprehensive coverage includes algebra, functions, optimisation, derivatives, and linear and non‑linear programming.
  • Applies mathematics to economic problems in the real world, reflecting some of the latest developments in the field and introducing your students to the economist’s way of thinking.

A clear pedagogical structure reinforces learning and builds confidence.

  • Numerous exercises throughout each chapter and step-by-step worked examples allow students to practice with mathematical concepts and improve their skills and techniques.
  • Graphs and other clear, visual representations of math concepts are useful reference points and help students follow complicated maths problems.
  • End-of-chapter review exercises will test your students' understanding of a topic, allowing them to assess their progress and take charge of their learning.
  • Solutions to exercises are provided online.

"This new edition of the classic introductory textbook on the essential mathematics needed by any serious student of modern economics adds relevance to its well-known rigorous approach. This is a tour de force in clarity and rigour."

- Dr. Giancarlo Ianulardo, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Exeter Business School

"Students and teachers of mathematics for economic analysis will welcome a new edition of this outstanding book, which describes the methods and their applications with exemplary clarity and accuracy, and a deep understanding of students’ needs."

- Ralph Bailey, Associate Professor in Economics, University of Birmingham

"This book is exceptionally clear, reflecting the authors' decades of experience teaching this material, and uses an informal tone, which puts the reader at ease and guides them through the technicalities. Almost every mathematical topic that an undergraduate economics student is likely to require is covered. Highly recommended."

- Marcus Pivato, Professor, University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

New and updated features of this title

  • EXPANDED! Chapter 16 Multiple Integrals includes additional topics to better prepare students for later study of econometrics or statistics. Now includes the normal or Gaussian distribution, additional information on the Gaussian integral, and more.
  • NEW for this edition, PowerPoint slides for lecturers provide all the figures and tables in the book.
  • NEW! A free student Companion Website accompanies this edition, with book solutions and 2 extra sections on geometry and trigonometry.
  • NEW! Exclusive to this eTextbook are interactive “Apply the Maths” activities at the end of each chapter - these low-stakes activities require students to read a short economic or financial scenario and engage with it by answering a question.

Table of contents

I PRELIMINARIES

  1. 1 Essentials of Logic and Set Theory
  2. 2 Algebra
  3. 3 Solving Equations
  4. 4 Functions of One Variable
  5. 5 Properties of Functions

II SINGLE-VARIABLE CALCULUS

  1. 6 Differentiation
  2. 7 Derivatives in Use
  3. 8 Concave and Convex Functions
  4. 9 Optimization
  5. 10 Integration
  6. 11 Topics in Finance and Dynamics

III MULTI-VARIABLE ALGEBRA

  1. 12 Matrix Algebra
  2. 13 Determinants, Inverses, and Quadratic Forms

IV MULTI-VARIABLE CALCULUS

  1. 14 Multivariable Functions
  2. 15 Partial Derivatives in Use
  3. 16 Multiple Integrals

V MULTI-VARIABLE OPTIMIZATION

  1. 17 Unconstrained Optimization
  2. 18 Equality Constraints
  3. 19 Linear Programming
  4. 20 Nonlinear Programming

Author bios

Knut Sydsaeter (1937-2012) was Emeritus Professor of Mathematics in the Economics Department at the University of Oslo, where he had taught mathematics to economists for over 45 years.

Peter Hammond is currently a Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick, where he moved in 2007 after becoming an Emeritus Professor at Stanford University. He has taught Mathematics for Economists at both universities, as well as the universities of Oxford and Essex.

Arne Strøm is Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of Oslo and has extensive experience in teaching mathematics to economists at the University Department of Economics.

Andrés Carvajal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of California, Davis.

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