A Mathematical Model of a National Economy

An interesting area of applied mathematics is the field of economics. In macroeconomics, models of a national economy use a variety of mathematical concepts. What follows is one such model that high school students in an honors modeling course recently investigated.

In this model, students use linear and rational functions, recursive functions, sequences and series, and differentials. Also, students have the opportunity to expand the model and investigate open-ended problems. While calculations can be done with a scientific calculator, use of a graphing calculator, computer program, or a spreadsheet is helpful.