--%>

Marginal rate of substitution

Problem:

Luke likes to consumer CDs (good1) and pizzas (good 2). His preference over both goods is given by the utility function

U(x1; x2) = x21 x42.

If Luke allocates $200 to spend on both goods and if a case of CDs costs $20 and a pizza costs $10, how many cases of CDs and pizzas would he consume in order to maximize his utility subject to his income. Show your work and illustrate your answer graphically.

Summary:

The problem in economics in price theory deals with deriving maximum marginal utility and marginal rate of substitution.

Answer:

U(x1, x2) = x12x24

P1 = 20, P2 = 10

MUx1 = 2x1x24

MUx2 = 4x12x23

Therefore, MRS = ½(x2/x1)

Now, for optimization, MRS = P1/P2 = 20/10 = 2

Now, ½(x2/x1) = 2

x2 = 4x1

Putting this value into the budget equation:

20x1 + 10x2 = 200

20x1 + 40x1 = 200

x1 = 10/3

and x2 = 40/3

678_marginal rate of substitution.png

   Related Questions in Business Economics

  • Q : Illustrate the supply curve and also

    Illustrate the supply curve and also determinants of supply?

  • Q : Profit in perfect competition leads to

    An increase within demand for "green-certified" products will ________ a firm's economic profit, and the raise within costs to have a product certified like "green" will ________ a firm's economic profit: w) increase; increase x) increase; decrease y)

  • Q : Explain about the successful speculation

    Successful speculation tends to: (1) generate inflationary pressure. (2) assist stabilize relative prices. (3) reduce the incomes of the eventual producers of goods. (4) make relative prices more volatile. (5) increase the risk born through the eventu

  • Q : What is the basic principle of

    What is the basic principle of comparative advantage?

  • Q : Competitive market economy will make

    Briefly explain how the competitive market economy will make the needed adjustments to reestablish an efficient allocation of society’s scarce resources?

  • Q : Problem on current production

    I have a problem in economics on current production possibilities frontier. Please help me in the following question. The combination of 70 units of clothing and 30 units of food are: (1) Completely employs the economy's capacity. (2) Would leave most

  • Q : Explain of the law of demand Explain of

    Explain of the law of demand?

  • Q : Main economic functions of government

    Enumerate and briefly discuss the main economic functions of government.  Which of these functions do you think is the most controversial?  Why?

  • Q : Understates the economic cost of a

    Computing the cost of college education like the cost of books, tuition and materials, room as well as board, and spending money: (i) overstates the economic cost of a college education. (ii) accurately measures the economic cost of a college educatio

  • Q : Self-interested motivation to underpin

    Adam Smith’s perception which self-interested motives underpin even charitable activities through apparently selfless people appeared originally into his primary major book that was entitled: (1) Theory of Moral Sentiments [1755]. (2) Leviathan