--%>
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 : When is marginal costs equivalent to

    A purely competitive firm adjusts production therefore its marginal costs equivalent the market price, thus: (w) minimizing losses or maximizing profit. (x) ensuring that total costs do not exceed total revenue. (y) surviving the shor

    		•
  • Q : Psychic Income problem Assume that a

    Assume that a few years after graduating, life as an investment banker became very frustrating that you switched careers to work as the professional cat walker, and were happier even although your annual income fell much than 80 percent. Your decreased money income is

    		•
  • Q : Post tax and transfer distribution of

    By looking the post tax and transfer distribution of income, all even constant, an increase into the progressivity of income taxes must: (w) shift the Lorenz curve outward. (x) shift the Lorenz curve upward. (y) not influence the Lore

    		•
  • Q : Relationship between MPS and multiplier

    Relationship between MPS and multiplier:K=1/1-MPC = 1/MPS or inverse relationship between MPS and the size of multiplier.

    		•
  • Q : Equilibrium moves market reduce in

    When equilibrium moves from point a to point b, the simple market experiencing a reduce in supply is demonstrated within: (w) Panel A. (x) Panel B. (y) Panel C. (z) Panel D.

    Q : Demand of consumers-supply of seller

    Consumers’ demand prices and sellers’ supply prices may be different in equilibrium due to: (w) arbitrage. (x) expectations about availability. (y) the invisible hand. (z) government subsidies or tax wedges.

  • Q : Asymmetric Information Can someone help

    Can someone help me in finding out the right answer from the given options. The employer who amplifies the safety of a place or prospects for advancement to the job applicants makes inefficiencies (or arguable inequities) since of: (1) Signaling. (2) Credentialism. (3

    		•
  • Q : Influences on union nonunion wage

    Significant influences on union non-union wage differentials comprise the: (1) Proportion of an industry which is unionized and the frequency of strikes. (2) Frequency of strikes, inflation and the collective bargaining policies. (3) Collective bargai

    		•
  • Q : What is Oligopoly Oligopoly : This is a

    Oligopoly: This is a form of the market in which there are some big sellers of a commodity and a big number of buyers. There is a high degree of interdependence between the sellers regarding their price and output policy.

    		•
  • Q : Illustrate ready-to-eat cereal industry

    Brands of ready-to-eat cereal by Kellogg, Post, General Mills and Quaker [for example Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran and Cheerios] account for more 85 percent of all breakfast cereals sold. Here the ready-to-eat cereal industry is an illustration of: (w)

    		•