The utility maximation problem answers how to allocate the total income between salad (X1) and candles (X2) to maximise total utility. The function is U(X1, X2) = ln(X1) + X2 The prices of salad P1 and candles P2, and Gwyneth's income in m, we want to maximise U(X1, X2) = ln(X1) + X2, subject to the constraints, the budget constraint, P1 × X1 + P2 x X2 = m First, we derive the lagrangian, L(1) L(X1, X2,1) = In(X1) + λ(m − P1X1 - P2X2) Now we differentiate L with respect to X1,X2 and 1 and set to 0 JL 1 - P1λ = 0 ǝx1 X1 ᎧᏞ = 1 P2λ = 0 ax2 JL = m P1X1 - P2X2 = 0 αλ Simplifying gives us, 1 X1 = (1) Ρ1λ 1 = λP2 Now we solve the system of equations for X1, X2 and λ, to obtain the demand functions for salad X1 and candles X2 in terms of prices (P1, P2) and income (m) We can substitute 1 from (2) into (1) for X1 in terms of P1 and P2 to get X1 = 27 P2 P1 Then, Form - P1X1 - P2X2 = 0, we have m = P1 + P2X2 m = P2+ P2X2 m = P2(1 + X2) m m = 1 + x2 hence, we get X2 = - 1 P2 P2 (a) Gwyneth is conducting research into consumer behaviour. She has decided to use the utility function u(x1,x2) = Inx₁ + x2, where x₁ is her consumption of salad and x2 is her consumption of candles. Let prices of x1 and X2 be denoted by p₁ and p2. Gwyneth earns an income of m. Set up the utility maximisation problem. Use a Lagrangian to derive the demands for salad and candles. Illustrate the income offer curve and engel curves for salad. (b) Do you think the utility function in (a) is sensible? Explain.

Microeconomic Theory
12th Edition
ISBN:9781337517942
Author:NICHOLSON
Publisher:NICHOLSON
Chapter6: Demand Relationships Among Goods
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 6.8P
Question

For this question , given that the working out for the demand functions is given can you , Illustrate the income offer curve and engel curves for salad, this is just part iii of the question

The utility maximation problem answers how to allocate the total income between
salad (X1) and candles (X2) to maximise total utility.
The function is U(X1, X2) = ln(X1) + X2
The prices of salad P1 and candles P2, and Gwyneth's income in m, we want to
maximise U(X1, X2) = ln(X1) + X2, subject to the constraints, the budget constraint,
P1 × X1 + P2 x X2 = m
First, we derive the lagrangian, L(1)
L(X1, X2,1) = In(X1) + λ(m − P1X1 - P2X2)
Now we differentiate L with respect to X1,X2 and 1 and set to 0
JL
1
- P1λ = 0
ǝx1 X1
ᎧᏞ
= 1 P2λ = 0
ax2
JL
= m P1X1 - P2X2 = 0
αλ
Simplifying gives us,
1
X1 =
(1)
Ρ1λ
1 = λP2
Now we solve the system of equations for X1, X2 and λ, to obtain the demand functions
for salad X1 and candles X2 in terms of prices (P1, P2) and income (m)
We can substitute 1 from (2) into (1) for X1 in terms of P1 and P2 to get X1 =
27
P2
P1
Then, Form - P1X1 - P2X2 = 0, we have
m = P1
+ P2X2
m = P2+ P2X2
m = P2(1 + X2)
m
m
= 1 + x2
hence, we get
X2 =
- 1
P2
P2
Transcribed Image Text:The utility maximation problem answers how to allocate the total income between salad (X1) and candles (X2) to maximise total utility. The function is U(X1, X2) = ln(X1) + X2 The prices of salad P1 and candles P2, and Gwyneth's income in m, we want to maximise U(X1, X2) = ln(X1) + X2, subject to the constraints, the budget constraint, P1 × X1 + P2 x X2 = m First, we derive the lagrangian, L(1) L(X1, X2,1) = In(X1) + λ(m − P1X1 - P2X2) Now we differentiate L with respect to X1,X2 and 1 and set to 0 JL 1 - P1λ = 0 ǝx1 X1 ᎧᏞ = 1 P2λ = 0 ax2 JL = m P1X1 - P2X2 = 0 αλ Simplifying gives us, 1 X1 = (1) Ρ1λ 1 = λP2 Now we solve the system of equations for X1, X2 and λ, to obtain the demand functions for salad X1 and candles X2 in terms of prices (P1, P2) and income (m) We can substitute 1 from (2) into (1) for X1 in terms of P1 and P2 to get X1 = 27 P2 P1 Then, Form - P1X1 - P2X2 = 0, we have m = P1 + P2X2 m = P2+ P2X2 m = P2(1 + X2) m m = 1 + x2 hence, we get X2 = - 1 P2 P2
(a) Gwyneth is conducting research into consumer behaviour. She has decided to
use the utility function u(x1,x2) = Inx₁ + x2, where x₁ is her consumption of
salad and x2 is her consumption of candles. Let prices of x1 and X2
be
denoted by p₁ and p2. Gwyneth earns an income of m.
Set up the utility maximisation problem.
Use a Lagrangian to derive the demands for salad and candles.
Illustrate the income offer curve and engel curves for salad.
(b) Do you think the utility function in (a) is sensible? Explain.
Transcribed Image Text:(a) Gwyneth is conducting research into consumer behaviour. She has decided to use the utility function u(x1,x2) = Inx₁ + x2, where x₁ is her consumption of salad and x2 is her consumption of candles. Let prices of x1 and X2 be denoted by p₁ and p2. Gwyneth earns an income of m. Set up the utility maximisation problem. Use a Lagrangian to derive the demands for salad and candles. Illustrate the income offer curve and engel curves for salad. (b) Do you think the utility function in (a) is sensible? Explain.
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