A consumer has the following utility function: U (x, y) = (x + a) (y + b) Prices of the two goods x and y respectively are px and py and the consumer has income m. We assume that all prices and income are strictly positive. Furthermore, throughout this question we assume that m is high enough so that both x and y are strictly positive in equilibrium. (a) Solve the consumer’s optimization problem and express the demand for the two goods in terms of prices and income.

A consumer has the following utility function: U (x, y) = (x + a) (y + b) Prices of the two goods x and y respectively are px and py and the consumer has income m. We assume that all prices and income are strictly positive. Furthermore, throughout this question we assume that m is high enough so that both x and y are strictly positive in equilibrium. (a) Solve the consumer’s optimization problem and express the demand for the two goods in terms of prices and income.

Economics For Today

10th Edition

ISBN:9781337613040

Author:Tucker

Publisher:Tucker

Chapter6: Consumer Choice Theory

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 5SQ

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