--%>
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 : Llustration of the problem of Moral

    Can someone please help me in finding out the accurate answer from the following question. Failing to lock your door whenever you go out since you have theft insurance is an illustration of the trouble of: (1) Indifference. (2) Apathy. (3) Moral hazard. (4) Market pow

    		•
  • Q : Area above supply curve of resource The

    The area above a resource’s supply curve although below its price is a pure: (w) economic rent. (x) consumer surplus. (y) capitalization. (z) monopoly profit. Please choose the right answer from above...I wan

    		•
  • Q : Model of production possibilities

    Can someone help me in determining the right answer from the given options. The production possibilities frontier model can be employed to describe: (1) The scarcity. (2) Full employment, efficiency and limited resources. (3) The opportunity costs and

    		•
  • Q : Economics expectations of price hike

    expectations of price hike for durable goods tend to:

    		•
  • Q : Determine total revenue when price

    When the parents of newborns are relatively insensitive to changes within the price of Pampers diapers, in that case while the price of Pampers increases, total revenue to: (w) consumer increases. (x) seller increases. (y) consumer de

    		•
  • Q : Resources flowing toward industries in

    Resources tend to flow toward industries in the long run along with: (w) lower profits for typical firms. (x) more profit for typical firms. (y) lower payments to most resource owners. (z) more stable rates of technological change.

    Q : Calculate price elasticity of demand

    Paradise Planners sold deluxe Hawaiian winter vacation’s 170 packages at a price of $1900, although only 130 tourists signed up while the price increased to $2100. Such Hawaiian vacations have a price elasticity of demand approximately equal to:

    		•
  • Q : Difference between planned and actual

    Differentiate between planned and actual saving and investment. Answer: There is a big difference between (a) planned S and I and (b) Actual saving and investment.<

    		•
  • Q : Shifting of taxes on higher prices When

    When a tax on goat cheese is totally paid by consumers through higher prices, in that case the tax has been: (1) alleviated. (2) actualized. (3) backward shifted. (4) forward shifted. (5) randomized. Hello guys I w

    		•
  • Q : Nominal wages If the nominal wages of

    If the nominal wages of carpenters rose by 5 percent in the year of 2000 and the price level increased by 3 percent, then the real wages of carpenters: A) decreased by 2 percent. B) increased by 2 percent. C) increased by 3 percent. D) increased by 8 percent.

    		•