MA207      Half Unit
Further Quantitative Methods (Mathematics)

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Dr James Ward

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Management, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is available with permission to General Course students.

Requisites

Mutually exclusive courses:

This course cannot be taken with MA100 or MA108 at any time on the same degree programme.

Additional requisites:

Students should have previously taken MA107 Quantitative Methods (Mathematics)

Course content

This is a second course in quantitative methods, following on directly from MA107 Quantitative Methods (Mathematics). This course will contain further algebra and calculus. As with the course MA107, the emphasis will be on applications in economics and finance. Topics covered: Matrix methods in portfolio analysis. Linear independence. Rank of a matrix. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Diagonalisation. Linear systems of recurrence equations. Markov process. Second-order recurrence equations. Macroeconomic models. Vector geometry. Gradient and directional derivative. Tangent hyperplanes and the optimal bundle. Resource allocation and Pareto efficiency. Orthogonal matrices and quadratic forms. Critical points of quadratic functions. Taylor's approximation. Optimisation of functions of two or more variables.

Teaching

20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Winter Term.

Formative assessment

Written answers to set problems will be expected on a weekly basis.

 

Indicative reading

M Anthony & N Biggs, Mathematics for Economics and Finance (Cambridge, 2024); A Ostaszewski, Mathematics in Economics (Blackwell, 1993).

Assessment

Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period


Key facts

Department: Mathematics

Course Study Period: Winter Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ Level: Level 5

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 140

Average class size 2024/25: 18

Capped 2024/25: No
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Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills