--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Demand curve for peanuts

Question:

a) Johnny consumes peanuts (x1) and a composite good (x2). His utility function is U = x1x2. His marginal utilities are MU1 = x2 and MU2 = x1. Johnny's budget is $20 and the price of the composite good is $1. Derive Johnny's demand function for peanuts.

b) Ambrose consumes peanuts (x1) and a composite good (x2).He has a utility functionU = 4 x1 + x2. This means his MU1 = 2/√x1 and his MU2 = 1 . The price of the composite good is p2 = 1. His budget is $20 per month. Derive Ambrose's demand function for peanuts. How does it compare with Johnny's demand curve for peanuts?

Solution:

a) U = x1x2

MRS = MU1/MU2 = x2/x1

Now, MRS = P1/P2 = P/1 = x2/x1 => x2 = 2Px1 {taking P1 = P}

Putting this value in budget equation:

Px1 + x2 = 20

  1.   Px1 + 2Px1 = 30
  2.   Px1 = 10
  3.   x1 = 10/P
  4.   x2 = 20

b) U = 4 Öx1 + x2.

MRS = MU1/ MU2 = (2/Öx1)/1 = 2/Öx1

Now, MRS = P1/P2 = P/1 = 2/Öx1

  1.   Öx1=2/P
  2.   x1 = 4/P2

Therefore, Ambrose's demand for peanuts does not depend upon his income, while Johnny's demand for peanuts does depend upon his income.

   Related Questions in Microeconomics

  • Q : Problem on siyazama production

    The table below  contains information about  the production possibilities frontier ( PPF or PPC)  of siyazama agricultural cooperative.

  • Q : Microeconomics Assignment Please give

    Please give me a quote for this uploaded assignment. I need it by the 10th of may 2013. Thank You

    		•
  • Q : Problem related to budget line Refer to

    Refer to the budget line illustrated in the diagram given. If the consumer's money income is $20, the: 1) prices of C and D cannot be determined.2) price of C is $2 and the price of D is $4. 3) consumer can obtain a combination of 5 units of both C and D. 4)

    		•
  • Q : Ranges for the price elasticity of

    Economists can’t conceive of any resource or product for that the: (1) price elasticity of demand is zero and the demand curve is vertical. (2) price elasticity of supply is zero and the supply curve is vertical. (3) income elasticity of demand

    		•
  • Q : Define Yield to Maturity Describe what

    Describe what do you mean by the term Yield to Maturity?

    		•
  • Q : Define price floor Price floor : Price

    Price floor: Price floor refers to the lowest amount price fixed by the government over the market determined price and hence the producers of the necessary items such as wheat, rice and so on might not experience losses.

    		•
  • Q : Define money Money : Money is what

    Money: Money is what money does. Or Money is something that is accepted as a medium of exchange and at similar time act as a store of value.

    		•
  • Q : Average retail price and the consumer

    Table illustrates the average retail price of milk and the Consumer Price Index from the year 1980 to 1998.

    Q : Public international law issues The

    The following is a case problem around which the examination paper will be based. In preparation for the examination, you should study the problem scenario and identify the possible public international law issues which might arise, and how the law might be applied to

    		•
  • Q : Adjustments in demand When Mad Cow

    When Mad Cow Disease erupted internationally, so what would occur to the demand, price, supply and quantity of hamburgers: (w) demand = fall, price = ???, supply = fall and quantity = fall. (x) demand = fall, price = rise, supply = rise and quantity =

    		•