| Textbook | Best For | Weakness vs. Simon & Blume | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Undergraduate intuition | Lacks proof rigour; no linear algebra depth. | | Hoy, Livernois, McKenna | Applied math for policy | Too many examples, not enough theory. | | de la Fuente | PhD mathematical economics | Extremely dense; minimal hand-holding. | | Simon & Blume | The sweet spot | None (for its target audience). |

Pay extra attention to the Implicit Function Theorem and matrix calculus. These tools are used daily by practicing economists to predict policy outcomes.

Linear algebra is the backbone of econometrics and multi-variable economic modeling. Simon and Blume cover:

Simon (a mathematician) and Blume (an economist) collaborated to solve this problem. Their goal was not to teach pure mathematics, but to teach as a tool for economic modeling. The book assumes the reader has a basic understanding of calculus and guides them through the proofs, theorems, and optimization techniques that form the backbone of neoclassical economics.