The text aims to provide a rigorous introduction to models and concepts, keeping the use of calculus simple and clear, and offering numerous graphs and diagrams to help bring the text to life. Focusing on the key issues, the book explains why economic activity exists; what are the best ways to carry out economic activity; how certain factors may affect the efficiency of economic activity; what might be done to improve its efficiency; how one can predict the effect of changes of various kinds; and why might government intervention into economic activity be beneficial. The author's extensive teaching experience is imparted in a lively and accessible style, which helps students to understand ideas, manipulate models and apply economics to the real world.