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Microeconomic Theory: Basic Principles and Extensions

By Walter Nicholson, Christopher Snyder

12th Edition © 2017
Discipline:Economics
Course:Intermediate Microeconomics
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Present today’s most cutting-edge treatment of microeconomics with the proven market leader -- MICROECONOMIC THEORY: BASIC PRINCIPLES AND EXTENSIONS. Now even better, this 12th edition offers a level of mathematical rigor ideal for upper-level undergraduate or beginning graduate students. This edition provides clear, accurate coverage of advanced microeconomic concepts while illustrating how theory applies to practical situations Readers work with theoretical tools, real-world applications, new behavioral economics problems, and the latest developments in microeconomics. The book’s unique presentation even helps build student intuition with highly-acclaimed, two-tier end-of-chapter problems that begin with simple numerical/mathematical exercises followed by more analytical, theoretical, complex, and behavioral economics problems. Key figures from the book now appear as interactive Progression Graphs in the all-new online MindTap for Microeconomic Theory.

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About this product

Present today’s most cutting-edge treatment of microeconomics with the proven market leader -- MICROECONOMIC THEORY: BASIC PRINCIPLES AND EXTENSIONS. Now even better, this 12th edition offers a level of mathematical rigor ideal for upper-level undergraduate or beginning graduate students. This edition provides clear, accurate coverage of advanced microeconomic concepts while illustrating how theory applies to practical situations Readers work with theoretical tools, real-world applications, new behavioral economics problems, and the latest developments in microeconomics. The book’s unique presentation even helps build student intuition with highly-acclaimed, two-tier end-of-chapter problems that begin with simple numerical/mathematical exercises followed by more analytical, theoretical, complex, and behavioral economics problems. Key figures from the book now appear as interactive Progression Graphs in the all-new online MindTap for Microeconomic Theory.

STUDENT-FRIENDLY PRESENTATION HELPS ENSURE COMPREHENSION AND APPLICATION. The authors skillfully combine expected calculus derivations used in advanced microeconomics with insightful graphical presentations. Today’s visual learners clearly see the connections between the calculus, geometry, and graphical representations of the same material.

PROVEN LEARNING FEATURES FURTHER STRENGTHEN STUDENT UNDERSTANDING. This edition weaves thorough summaries, memorable examples and instructive figures throughout the presentation to clarify and expand upon key microeconomic principles.

END-OF-CHAPTER “EXTENSIONS” PRESENT EMPIRICAL STUDIES OF THE CHAPTER’S topics. Your students can explore key topics further with these optional empirical studies as well as references to recent and classic related articles. Many extensions illustrate how economic theory is applied to empirical questions.

CONTENT ON DUALITY AND ENVELOPE THEOREM IS COMPLETELY REVISED. The authors have improved the book’ presentation on duality and envelope theorem to provide a more consistent and integrated approach to these key topics.

Table of contents

Chapters

Cover Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
About the Authors
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part 1. Introduction
Part 2. Choice and Demand
Part 3. Uncertainty and Strategy
Part 4. Production and Supply
Part 5. Competitive Markets
Part 6. Market Power
Part 7. Pricing in Input Markets
Part 8. Market Failure
Show more

Part 1. Introduction

Chapter 1. Economic Models
Preview this section ↗
1.1. Theoretical Models ↗
1.2. Verification of Economic Models ↗
1.2.1. The Profit-Maximization Model ↗
1.2.2. Testing Assumptions ↗
1.2.3. Testing Predictions ↗
1.2.4. Importance of Empirical Analysis ↗
1.3. General Features of Economic Models ↗
1.3.1. The Ceteris Paribus Assumption ↗
1.4. Structure of Economic Models ↗
1.4.1. Optimization Assumptions ↗
1.4.2. Positive-Normative Distinction ↗
1.5. Development of the Economic Theory of Value ↗
1.5.1. Early Economic Thoughts on Value ↗
1.5.2. The Founding of Modern Economics ↗
1.5.3. Labor Theory of Exchange Value ↗
1.5.4. The Marginalist Revolution ↗
1.5.5. Marshallian Supply–Demand Synthesis ↗
1.5.6. Paradox Resolved ↗
1.5.7. General Equilibrium Models ↗
1.5.8. Production Possibility Frontier ↗
1.5.9. Welfare Economics ↗
1.6. Modern Developments ↗
1.6.1. The Mathematical Foundations of Economic Models ↗
1.6.2. New Tools for Studying Markets ↗
1.6.3. The Economics of Uncertainty and Information ↗
1.6.4. Behavioral Economics ↗
1.6.5. Computers and Empirical Analysis ↗
Summary ↗
Suggestions for Further Reading ↗
Chapter 2. Mathematics for Microeconomics
2.1. Maximization of a Function of One Variable
2.1.1. Derivatives
2.1.2. Value of the Derivative at a Point
2.1.3. First-Order Condition for a Maximum
2.1.4. Second-Order Conditions
2.1.5. Second Derivatives
2.1.6. Rules for Finding Derivatives
2.2. Functions of Several Variables
2.2.1. Partial Derivatives
2.2.2. Calculating Partial Derivatives
2.2.3. Partial Derivatives and the Ceteris Paribus Assumption
2.2.4. Partial Derivatives and Units of Measurement
2.2.5. Elasticity—A General Definition
2.2.6. Second-Order Partial Derivatives
2.2.7. Young’s Theorem
2.2.8. Uses of Second-Order Partials
2.2.9. The Chain Rule with Many Variables
2.2.10. Implicit Functions
2.2.11. A Special Case—Comparative Statics Analysis
2.3. Maximization of Functions of Several Variables
2.3.1. First-Order Conditions for a Maximum
2.3.2. Second-Order Conditions
2.4. The Envelope Theorem
2.4.1. A Specific Example
2.4.2. A Direct, Time-Consuming Approach
2.4.3. The Envelope Shortcut
2.4.4. Many-Variable Case
2.5. Constrained Maximization
2.5.1. Lagrange Multiplier Method
2.5.2. The Formal Problem
2.5.3. First-Order Conditions
2.5.4. Interpretation of the Lagrange Multiplier
2.5.5. Lagrange Multiplier as a Benefit–Cost Ratio
2.5.6. Duality
2.6. Envelope Theorem in Constrained Maximization Problems
2.7. Inequality Constraints
2.7.1. A Two-Variable Example
2.7.2. Slack Variables
2.7.3. Solution Using Lagrange Multipliers
2.7.4. Complementary Slackness
2.8. Second-Order Conditions and Curvature
2.8.1. Functions of One Variable
2.8.2. Functions of Two Variables
2.8.3. An Intuitive Argument
2.8.4. A Formal Analysis
2.8.5. Concave Functions
2.8.6. Constrained Maximization
2.8.7. Quasi-Concave Functions
2.9. Homogeneous Functions
2.9.1. Homogeneity and Derivatives
2.9.2. Euler’s Theorem
2.9.3. Homothetic Functions
2.10. Integration
2.10.1. Antiderivatives
2.10.2. Calculating Antiderivatives
2.10.3. Definite Integrals
2.10.4. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
2.10.5. Differentiating a Definite Integral
2.11. Dynamic Optimization
2.11.1. The Optimal Control Problem
2.11.2. The Maximum Principle
2.12. Mathematical Statistics
2.12.1. Random Variables and Probability Density Functions
2.12.2. Discrete and Continuous Random Variables
2.12.3. Probability Density Functions
2.12.4. A Few Important PDFs
2.12.5. Expected Value
2.12.6. Variance and Standard Deviation
2.12.7. Covariance
Summary
Problems
Suggestions for Further Reading
Extensions. Second-Order Conditions and Matrix Algebra

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