A Maths Primer for Economics, Commerce and Business Administration Students

This self-help style publication is for students of economics, commerce and business administration who are having difficulty with the mathematics in their courses, both at introductory and advanced level. In providing a brief overview of essential financial mathematics the book aims to provide students with the skills and confidence they need in mathematics to succeed in their university courses.

Why this book was written
How to use this book
Part A - Basic Skills
1.       Numbers
2.       Algebra
3.       Functions and Graphs
4.       Differentiation
5.       Integration
Part B - Additional Topics
6.       Optimisation
7.       Finance
8.       Regression
9.       Index Numbers
Appendix: Suggestions for Further Study
Appendix: Using Computer Programs
Solutions to Exercises

• It is designed as a handy reference purchase for interested students and also for lecturers to recommend to students identified as having problems in mathematics.
• The book can also be used as a text in mathematics orientation courses for university economics, commerce and business administration students.
• It assumes no prior high-level mathematical knowledge on behalf of the student. Only a familiarity with numbers and basic arithmetic is assumed.
• Mathematics is becoming increasingly important in economics and business degrees which often excludes those without mathematical skills particularly minority groups. This book hopes to help reverse this trend by showing students that everyone can be successful at maths.
• The author is an experienced lecturer familiar with the problems many students face with mathematics. He has written a book that will help retain otherwise good students who may leave economics and business because of a fear of mathematics.
• The book includes exercises with solutions.

Dr Paul Oslington is a Professor of Economics at Australian Catholic University in Sydney.