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MAU34804 Fixed point theorems and economic equilibria

Module Code MAU34804
Module Title Fixed point theorems and economic equilibria
Semester taught Semester 2
ECTS Credits 5
Module Lecturer Prof. David Wilkins
Module Prerequisites MAU11204 Analysis on the real line

Assessment Details

  • This module is examined in a 2-hour examination at the end of Semester 2.
  • Students are assessed based on the exam alone.
  • Any failed components are reassessed, if necessary, by an exam in the reassessment session.

Contact Hours

11 weeks of teaching with 3 lectures per week.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to

  • Describe and justify with reasoned logical arguments basic properties of convex sets in finite-dimensional spaces.
  • Describe and justify with reasoned logical arguments basic properties of simplices and simplicial complexes.
  • Describe in reasonable detail how techniques from real analysis and low-dimensional topology can be applied to investigate the existence and properties of equilibria in simple economic models.

Module Content

  • Review of results from real analysis.
  • Properties of convex subsets of finite-dimensional spaces.
  • Simplices and simplicial complexes.
  • The Brouwer and Katukani fixed point theorems.
  • Mathematical models of simple economies.
  • Proof of the existence of equilibria in economic models.