Beginning with a discussion of the basic structure of the economy and ending with an examination of economic applications, this book offers thorough coverage of the fundamental principles that underlie standard modern theoretical and applied microeconomics. Among the topics covered are production, the firm, the consumer, households and workers, aggregation, equilibrium, efficiency, uncertainty, incentives, and welfare. In addition to algebraic and verbal presentation of results, many of the basic ideas are illustrated using clear diagrams and charts. Throughout, Cowell provides exercises with answers to help students understand and apply the analytic techniques presented in the book.