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Demand Analysis Practice Questions

ECO

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
24 views2 pages

Demand Analysis Practice Questions

ECO

Uploaded by

cs826
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Practice questions: demand

1. Rishi’s utility function is 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = (2𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥) + 𝑦. Given his current income and relative
prices, he consumes 10 units of x and 15 units of y. If his income doubles, while prices
stay constant, how many units of x will he consume after the change in income?

2. A person’s utility function is 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 5𝑥𝑦. The prices of goods x and y are 4 per unit
and 2 per unit respectively. Graphically represent the income offer curve on a precise
diagram, and derive the equation for the Engel curve.

3. A consumer has preferences described by utility function 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = √𝑥 + 𝑦. The


consumer’s income is m, while price of good x is p and price of y is q. Derive the inverse
demand function for goods x and y. Graph the Engel curves for goods x and y.

4. Suppose 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 and the budget line is given by 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑚. Derive


and draw the Engel curve.

5. Derive the income offer curves and Engel curves for commodity x for the following utility
functions, assuming 𝑝𝑥 = 𝑝𝑦 = 1.

a. 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 − 𝑦
b. 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 + 𝑦 2
c. 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = min (2𝑥, 3𝑦)

6. Derive and graph the demand curve for x when 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 5𝑥 + 3𝑦 and budget line is given
by 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑞𝑦 = 𝑚.

Graded bonus question. TAs are requested not to share the solutions/hints for these questions:

a) Find the equation of the price consumption curve and income offer curve if 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = √𝑥𝑦
and budget line is 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑚. (1 point)
b) The production function is given by 𝑓(𝑘, 𝑙) = min(2𝑥, 5𝑦). The wage rate and rental rates
are 2/unit for each. Find the long-run total cost function. (2 points) [Yes, we did not cover
this production function in class. The mathematical treatment will be similar to the one done
in consumer theory.]

Note:

If any students are found to have submitted identical/near identical answers, all such students will
receive a zero and be debarred from availing bonus scores.

Clearly write your name and student ID on the answer sheet.

Show all your work in the answer. Clearly mention the equations and the method being used. Partial
credit will be given for the correct approach.
The handwritten answer should be scanned and submitted (in a PDF file) using this form
[Link] using your SNU email ID. The submissions are due by
Saturday, March 9th, 3 pm. Please do not email your answers.

Rules regarding availing the bonus score are mentioned in the course outline.

Common questions

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To solve this, we compute the consumption of x using Rishi's utility maximization problem. The utility function is u(x, y) = (2logx) + y, and the initial bundle of consumption is 10 units of x and 15 units of y. Assuming price of x is Px and price of y is Py, the initial budget constraint is 10Px + 15Py = M. After the income doubles, the new budget is 2M, and the constraint becomes 10Px + 15Py = 2M. Using the derived demand conditions from the utility maximization, while prices remain constant, we solve for x to determine the change in x with doubled income. The increase is typically proportional to the increase in income, leading to a higher consumption of x if x is a normal good .

The income offer curve graphically represents every utility-maximizing combination of two goods at different levels of income, given constant prices. For u(x, y) = 2x + y^2, derive the income offer curve by finding the slope of the budget constraint as it shifts with changes in income. The Engel curve describes how the quantity of a good consumed changes as income changes. Thus, the relation between these curves lies in the way they both track adjustments in consumption based on income variations; the Engel curve is essentially a projection of the income offer curve on the axis of one good. Specifically, observe how points on the income offer curve map to changes in consumption levels on the Engel curve, highlighting elasticity .

The Engel curve reflects how consumption of a good varies with income, holding prices and utility function constant. For u(x, y) = x^2 + y^2 + 2xy, with budget constraint 2x + y = m, solve for the utility-maximizing bundle. The Engel curve is derived by expressing x as a function of m while assuming prices are constant. Given the preference structure, this utility formulation suggests that the Engel curve can potentially take a quadratic form in m due to the interaction term 2xy, particularly when solving for y in terms of m and x close to the interaction point .

The utility-maximization condition sets the stage for relating income changes to consumption bundles. For the utility function u(x, y) = 2x + y^2, you first derive the demand functions via the Lagrangian, setting L = 2x + y^2 + λ(m - px x - qy). Solve for λ, equate partial derivatives to zero, and explicitly solve for x and y in terms of m. The Engel curve is a consequence of these budget-constrained choices, mapping how optimal consumption of x changes with m. The utility-maximization aligns marginal utilities with good prices, forming the major computational hurdles in differentiating x and y w.r.t. income, thus guiding Engel curve formulation .

For the given utility form u(x, y) = 5x + 3y, determine the consumer's optimal consumption bundle by setting up a Lagrangian incorporating the budget constraint: L = 5x + 3y + λ(m - px x - qy). The first-order conditions (FOCs) from the Lagrangian maximize utility subject to the constraint and lead to the demand functions x(px, m) and y(q, m). These are functions of their respective prices and income. The demand curve shows the relationship between the quantity of x demanded and its price, holding other factors constant. Solving the FOCs for x gives the individual demand function for x, which can then be graphed against different px values while holding income and py constant .

The assumption hinges on the properties of utility functions under sharply consistent preferences. For u(x, y) = (2logx) + y, lacking price changes means any external income boost directly impacts consumption given income elasticity. As x contributes log-linearly within utility, more income expands feasible logx range in order to maximize well-being marginally through increased consumption of x. Given normal good presumption with logx sensitivity, more income forces upward x adjustments, validated by cost acceptance high-income elasticity without price interferences. Such increases confirm x as necessary or normal given income variability and extensivity of log-based marginal gains .

To graphically represent the income offer curve for u(x, y) = 5xy, identify the optimal allocation against varying income levels. Start by substituting prices into the budget m = 4x + 2y. Using a Lagrangian L = 5xy + λ(m - 4x - 2y), identify optimal bundles by solving first-order conditions, exploring reactions to income shifts. The income offer curve plots these bundles within (x, y) space as m varies. Format graph axes to capture any nonlinear responses from utility's nature. As income changes, plot new equilibrium points which trace the income offer's pathway, unveiling how expenditure patterns evolve .

The price consumption curve (PCC) shows the optimal combinations of x and y as the price of one good changes, holding the budget constant. For u(x, y) = √xy with the given budget line, if income (m) changes, additional income alters the slope of the budget constraint, shifting the set of affordable bundles. Graphically, an increase in income shifts the budget line outward parallel, which can lead to new tangency points with higher indifference curves, hence, changing the PCC. Calculate by redoing the utility-maximization problem at different income levels to see which goods x or y become relatively cheaper or costlier with income alteration, thereby affecting both goods' consumption ratios on the PCC .

The inverse demand function requires linking consumption choices directly to the utility and budget constraints. For u(x, y) = √x + y, we first form the Lagrangian L = √x + y + λ(m - px x - qy) and derive the conditions for utility maximization. Setting the partial derivatives equal to zero gives us: for x: 1/(2√x) = λpx, and for y: 1 = λq. From these, solve for λ and equate to find expressions for x and y in terms of m and prices. Finally, express x(p, m) and y(q, m) inversely to get the inverse demand functions for each good .

To find the long-run total cost function from f(k, l) = min(2x, 5y) given equal input rates, recognize that the production function implies a fixed input combination ratio. Therefore, to produce one unit of output, k must be 2x and l must be 5y. With equal wage and rental rates at 2/unit, analyze the cost-minimization condition via the equality constraint imposed by the function. Translate desired output quantity Q into necessary quantities of x and y, and then compute total cost: TC = wage * qtd of labor + rental rate * qtd of capital. Here, compute TC = 2(2x) + 2(5y) with x = l/2 and y = k/5. Simplify this to find the explicit cost function, which describes long-run behavior and potential economies of scale .

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