--%>
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 : Econ Give the answer of following

    Give the answer of following question. In the quintile distribution of income, the term "quintile" represents: A) 5 percent of the income receivers. B) 10 percent of the income receivers. C) 20 percent of the income receivers. D) 25 percent of the income receivers.

    		•
  • Q : Exploitation-Competitive Markets The

    The removal of exploitation of the labor wage payments beneath the value to society of each and every individual worker’s productive contribution is automatic when business decision makers: (i) Should set wages via collective bargaining agreements with the labor

    		•
  • Q : Competitive Resource of Market Supply

    Because resources should be hired away through other uses, the resource supply curves facing a huge and expanding competitive industry are classically: (1) horizontal. (2) U shaped. (3) upward sloping. (4) downward sloping. (5) vertical.Can anyb

    		•
  • Q : Consumption expenditure In an economy

    In an economy 75% of increase in income is spent on the consumption. Investment raised by Rs. 1000 Crore. Compute: (A) Total increase in income(B) Total increase in consumption expenditure

    		•
  • Q : Increase profits of quantity selling by

    When a monopolist was selling a quantity which marginal revenue [MR] is greater than marginal costs [marginal costs [MC] in that case this could increase profits by: (w) raising price. (x) increasing output. (y) raisi

    		•
  • Q : Long run equilibrium for a purely

    In long-run equilibrium for a purely competitive firm: (w) MC = P = MR = min.(LRAC). (x) MC = TR = PQ = AVC. (y) LRAC = PQ = TVC + TFC = MR. (z) P = Q = wL + rK = Y. Can anybody suggest me the proper explanation fo

    		•
  • Q : Demand curve for physical capital The

    The demand curve for physical capital: (1) does not depend on the amount of labor available. (2) generates a supply of loanable funds to finance new investment. (3) depends onto the marginal productivity of capital. (4) is exactly parallel to the amou

    		•
  • Q : Explanation of Substitution Effect The

    The substitution effect helps most in describing why: (1) Demand curves slope down. (2) Goods are either complements or substitutes. (3) Air travel costs less than by walking the cross country. (4) Uncertainty regarding quality justifies govt. control

    		•
  • Q : Similarity of elasticities of demand

    When a price hike for regular gas from $2.00 to $2.20 reduces quantity demanded from 20 million gallons to 19 million gallons daily, and an raise in the price of premium gas from $3.00 to $3.20 decreases its quantity demanded daily from 20 million gal

    		•
  • Q : Causes of Increase in demand Describe

    Describe the causes of Increase in demand?Answer: 1) Increase in income of the consumer.2) Price of substitute goods increase.3)

    		•