Kendrick D.A., Mercado P.R., Amman H.M. Computational Economics

Prinseton Universyti Press – 2005, 492 p.
ISBN: 069112549X, 9780691125497The ability to conceptualize an economic problem verbally, to formulate it as a mathematical model, and then represent the mathematics in software so that the model can be solved on a computer is a crucial skill for economists. Computational Economics contains well-known models-and some brand-new ones-designed to help students move from verbal to mathematical to computational representations in economic modeling. The authors' focus, however, is not just on solving the models, but also on developing the ability to modify them to reflect one's interest and point of view. The result is a book that enables students to be creative in developing models that are relevant to the economic problems of their times.
Unlike other computational economics textbooks, this book is organized around economic topics, among them macroeconomics, microeconomics, and finance. The authors employ various software systems-including MatLAB, Mathematica, GAMS, the nonlinear programming solver in Excel, and the database systems in Access-to enable students to use the most advantageous system. The book progresses from relatively simple models to more complex ones, and includes appendices on the ins and outs of running each program.
The book is intended for use by advanced undergraduates and professional economists and even, as a first exposure to computational economics, by graduate students.
Organized by economic topics
Progresses from simple to more complex models
Includes instructions on numerous software systems
Encourages customization and creativityPreface ix
Introduction 1
Once Over Lightly
Growth
Growth Model in Excel
Finance
Neural Nets in Excel
Microeconomics
PartIal Equilibrium in Mathematica
Transportation in GAMS
Database
Databases in Access
Finance
Thrift in GAMS (with Genevieve Solomon)
Portfolio Model in MatLAB
Once More
Microeconomics
General Equilibrium Models in GAMS
Game Theory
Cournot Duopoly in Mathematica (with Daniel Gaynor)
Stackelberg Duopoly in Mathematica (with Daniel Gaynor)
Genetic Algorithms and Evolutionary Games in MatLAB 2
Finance
Genetic Algorithms and Portfolio Models in MatLAB
Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics in GAMS
Agent-Based Computational Economics
Agent-Based Model in MatLAB
Environmental Economics
Global Warming in GAMS
Dynamic Optimization
Dynamic Optimization in MatLAB
Special Topic:Stochastic Control
Stochastic Control
Stochastic Control in Duali
Rational Expectations Macro in DualiA. Running GAMS
B. Running Mathematica
C. Running the Solver in Excel
D. Ordered Sets in GAMS
E. Linearization and State-Space Representation of Hall and Taylor's Model
F. Introduction to Nonlinear Optimization Solvers
G. Linear Programming Solvers
H. The Stacking Method in GAMS
I. Running MatLAB
J. Obtaining the Steady State of the Growth Model