Study on the Position and Application of Mathematics in the Teaching of Economics

The application of mathematics in economics has already become an indisputable fact. However, the abuse of mathematics in economics is also a controversial question. In this paper, we analyze the difference and connection between mathematics and economics, and point out that the economics research should also be based on the economic reality and economic theory. Mathematics is only a kind of tool or means which can describe the theory. And we can't use other things to substitute for it. And based on it, we discuss how to deal with the mathematics content involved in different teaching contents in economics teaching. In recent years the development of economics and mathematical relationship has already presented the distorted phenomenon. The economics has presented an tendency of excessive mathematization. On the one hand, more and more difficult mathematical formulas, symbols and derivations have appeared in the theoretical study. On the other hand, "in the economics classroom we can finish teaching a lesson only by making the blackboard be covered with figures and charts without the observation and discovery of anything happened in the real world"(1). Therefore, if we want to jump out of this kind of "vicious cycle" and improve the quality and effect of economics teaching, we must clear the role and status of mathematics in economics teaching.