Optimal Control Theory with Economic Applications (Volume 24)

by Atle Seierstad, Knut Sydsæter

This book serves not only as an introduction, but also as an advanced text and reference source in the field of deterministic optimal control systems governed by ordinary differential equations. It also includes an introduction to the classical calculus of variations.
An important feature of the book is the inclusion of a large number of examples, in which the theory is applied to a wide variety of economics problems. The presentation of simple models helps illuminate pertinent qualitative and analytic points, useful when confronted with a more complex reality. These models cover: economic growth in both open and closed economies, exploitation of (non-) renewable resources, pollution control, behaviour of firms, and differential games. A great emphasis on precision pervades the book, setting it apart from the bulk of literature in this area. The rigorous techniques presented should help the reader avoid errors which often recur in the application of control theory within economics.

472 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1987

About the author

Knut Sydsæter, Atle Seierstad, and Arne Strøm all have extensive experience in teaching mathematics for economists in the Department of Economics at the University of Oslo. With Peter Berck at Berkeley, Knut Sydsæter and Arne Strøm have written a widely used formula book, Economists’ Mathematical Manual (Springer, 2005). The 1987 North-Holland book Optimal Control Theory for Economists by Atle Seierstad and Knut Sydsæter is still a standard reference in the field.

Visit www.pearsoned.co.uk/sydsaeter to access the supplementary resources for this text including a new Student’s Manual with extended answers broken down step by step to selected problems in the text.