Economic growth models: symbolic and numerical computations

Abstract

Growth economic models play a crucial role in understanding countries development, inter-country macroeconomic relationship and, ultimately, to anticipate the effects on endogenous variables due to political shocks on model parameters or exogenous variables. Yet, build a mathematical model can be a difficult and time consuming task. Symbolic computations can be of great help in the development process. Then, the ability to simulate, under initial assumptions, is, assuredly, a priceless tool for policy makers to take decisions and to adapt them along the time. Robust and efficient solvers are required to allow for reliable and fast answers. This paper deals with an integrated computational approach to economic growth models, based on the exceptional ability of MATLAB`s numerical computing and exploring its symbolic computing capabilities. Illustration is made with the Ramsey-Cass-Koopmans model, one of the macroeconomic workhorse models.