--%>

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 : Gross domestic product Question Would

    Question Would "Victory Points" be a measure of player's "GDP"? If not, then how would you calculate a player's GDP?

  • Q : Banking crisis on checkable deposits

    Question: Some developing countries have suffered banking crises in which depositors lost part or all of their deposits (in some countries there is no deposit insurance). This type of crisis decreases depositors' confidence in the banking syst

  • Q : Decentralized a virtue of capitalism

    The idea which a virtue of capitalism is decentralized its decision making emerged while: (1) social philosophers looked for alternatives to feudal kings like economic regulators. (2) Russian imperialism fostered anti-communist sentiment after World W

  • Q : Symptoms of governmental interference-

    Adam Smith and the “typical liberal” economists who followed within his footsteps viewed persistent monopolization and market power as: (1) ineffective and best regulated through government. (2) crucial in finding the rate of technological

  • Q : Illustrations of opportunity costs

    Illustrations of opportunity costs which you might or will have incurred would comprise: (i) severe injuries suffered within an accident since you failed to buckle up. (ii) the income you could earn when you were not in school. (iii) time spent studyi

  • Q : Illustrate the Goals of Mixed Economy

    Illustrate the Goals of Mixed Economy?

  • Q : Demand forecasting consumer's interview

    consumer's interview method for demand forecasting(point to point explain)

  • Q : Introduction of the term Operating

    Give a brief introduction of the term Operating Leverage?

  • Q : Elucidate the growth record of the

    Elucidate the growth record of the United States?

  • Q : How demand is influenced by price

    Describe how the demand for a good is influenced by the price of its associated goods. Give illustrations.