This tutorial covers the basic mathematical tools used in economic theory. Knowledge of elementary calculus is assumed; some of the prerequisite material is reviewed in the first section. The main topics are multivariate calculus, concavity and convexity, optimization theory, differential equations, and difference equations. For a complete list, see the table of contents.

The tutorial emphasizes techniques rather than abstract theory. However, the conditions under which each technique is applicable are stated precisely; a guiding principle is "accessible precision".