This punchy book unites mainline mathematical economics and sometimes idiosyncratic political economy. Freshness is brought to the market concept giving general equilibrium theory a new lease of life, and an opening of thought on such matters as free trade, globalization and the environment. Where most theories of general equilibrium have been based on utility maximizing traders, Afriat here maintains the view that the topic essentially is concerned with aggregates and that anything to do with utility is at best secondary if not spurious. The book goes on to discuss political economy, in particular the idea of 'optimum', and its abuses, especially in doctrine related to the market. This novel book will be of equal appeal to mathematical thinkers, those interested in the theory of market and political economists.

The book is not an unrestricted survey engaging a vast and repetative literature, but a systematic treatise within clear boundaries, largely a document of Afriat's own work. The original motive of the work is to elaborate a concept of what really is a price index, which, despite some kind of price-level notion having a presence throughout economics, in theory and practice, had been missing.

The book is not an unrestricted survey engaging a vast and repetative literature, but a systematic treatise within clear boundaries, largely a document of Afriat's own work. The original motive of the work is to elaborate a concept of what really is a price index, which, despite some kind of price-level notion having a presence throughout economics, in theory and practice, had been missing.

This punchy book unites mainline mathematical economics and sometimes idiosyncratic political economy. Freshness is brought to the market concept giving general equilibrium theory a new lease of life, and an opening of thought on such matters as free trade, globalization and the environment.
Where most theories of general equilibrium have been based on utility maximizing traders, Afriat here maintains the view that the topic essentially is concerned with aggregates and that anything to do with utility is at best secondary if not spurious. The book goes on to discuss political economy, in particular the idea of 'optimum', and its abuses, especially in doctrine related to the market.
This novel book will be of equal appeal to mathematical thinkers, those interested in the theory of market and political economists.

Deals with the most basic notion of linear algebra, to bring emphasis on approaches to the topic serving at the elementary level and more broadly. A typical feature is where computational algorithms and theoretical proofs are brought together. Another is respect for symmetry, so that when this has some part in the form of a matter it should also be reflected in the treatment. Issues relating to computational method are covered. These interests may have suggested a limited account, to be rounded-out suitably. However this limitation where basic material is separated from further reaches of the subject has an appeal of its own. To the `elementary operations' method of the textbooks for doing linear algebra, Albert Tucker added a method with his `pivot operation'. Here there is a more primitive method based on the `linear dependence table', and yet another based on `rank reduction'. The determinant is introduced in a completely unusual upside-down fashion where Cramer's rule comes first. Also dealt with is what is believed to be a completely new idea, of the `alternant', a function associated with the affine space the way the determinant is with the linear space, with n+1 vector arguments, as the determinant has n. Then for affine (or barycentric) coordinates we find a rule which is an unprecedented exact counterpart of Cramer's rule for linear coordinates, where the alternant takes on the role of the determinant. These are among the more distinct or spectacular items for possible novelty, or unfamiliarity. Others, with or without some remark, may be found scattered in different places.

Deals with the most basic notion of linear algebra, to bring emphasis on approaches to the topic serving at the elementary level and more broadly. A typical feature is where computational algorithms and theoretical proofs are brought together. Another is respect for symmetry, so that when this has some part in the form of a matter it should also be reflected in the treatment. Issues relating to computational method are covered. These interests may have suggested a limited account, to be rounded-out suitably. However this limitation where basic material is separated from further reaches of the subject has an appeal of its own. To the `elementary operations' method of the textbooks for doing linear algebra, Albert Tucker added a method with his `pivot operation'. Here there is a more primitive method based on the `linear dependence table', and yet another based on `rank reduction'. The determinant is introduced in a completely unusual upside-down fashion where Cramer's rule comes first. Also dealt with is what is believed to be a completely new idea, of the `alternant', a function associated with the affine space the way the determinant is with the linear space, with n+1 vector arguments, as the determinant has n. Then for affine (or barycentric) coordinates we find a rule which is an unprecedented exact counterpart of Cramer's rule for linear coordinates, where the alternant takes on the role of the determinant. These are among the more distinct or spectacular items for possible novelty, or unfamiliarity. Others, with or without some remark, may be found scattered in different places.

The utility idea has had a long history in economics, especially in the explanation of demand and in welfare economics. In a comprehensive survey and critique of the Slutsky theory and the pattern to which it belongs in the economic context, S. N. Afriat offers a resolution of questions central to its main idea, including sufficient conditions as well. Originally published in 1980. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

The utility idea has had a long history in economics, especially in the explanation of demand and in welfare economics. In a comprehensive survey and critique of the Slutsky theory and the pattern to which it belongs in the economic context, S. N. Afriat offers a resolution of questions central to its main idea, including sufficient conditions as well.

Originally published in 1980.

The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.