Question: Assume preferences can be represented by the following utility function: u(T1, 12) = 11 12 a. Are preferences monotonic? Justify. b. Set up the

Assume preferences can be represented by the following utility function: u(T1, 12)  

Assume preferences can be represented by the following utility function: u(T1, 12) = 11 12 a. Are preferences monotonic? Justify. b. Set up the consumer's utility maximization problem for prices P, P2 and income m (the general case) c. Solve the problem. You will obtain demand functions 2 (P1, P2, m) and T (P1, P2, m) in terms of the parameters (p, p2, m). Obtain price elasticity of demand for good one. Obtain income elasticity of demand for good 2. d. Assume that, originally, the consumer faces: prices p=2, p2=5 and income m= 30 (A+1). where A is the last digit of your ASU ID#. Now assume the price of good 1 increases to p = 3. Obtain the income and substitution effects for good 1 with Slutsky compensation (that is, compensating the individual so that it can still buy the old bundle at the new prices). e. Find the amount of compensation needed for Hicks compensation (that is, compensating the individual so that he is indifferent to his old bundle). To do this plug the old bundle into the utility function to obtain the level of utility you want to acheive. Then plug the demand functions into the utility function. Then replace prices with new prices and equate the two utilities. By now you should have a function of income equal to a number. Solve for the appropriate income level. That is the compensation needed to make the individual indifferent to the old bundle. The amount of compensation needed should be lower than with Slutsky compensation, but because the price change is very small, there should be barely any difference between the two. f. Graph your results in (e) by plotting the old and new indifference curves, the old, compensated and new budget sets and the old, compensated and new choices (quantities demanded).

Step by Step Solution

3.47 Rating (167 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer
Step: 1 Unlock

a Preferences are monotonic The utility function is ux1 x2 x1x22 The partial derivatives of the util... View full answer

blur-text-image
Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock
Step: 3 Unlock

Students Have Also Explored These Related Economics Questions!