a. Use the table below and fill in the values for marginal utility.   Hot Dogs and Biff's Utility Hot Dogs Total Utility (utils) Marginal Utility (utils) 5 48 — 6 52   7 54   8 55   9 54   10 51     b. Use the table to graph Biff's total utility and marginal utility for hot dogs.                 c. If Biff is rational, and has no intention of winning the hot dog eating contest, what is the optimal number of hot dogs he will eat? What is the maximum level of utility Biff can reach from eating that number of hot dogs?        Optimal number of hot dogs:         Maximum utility:

Economics:
10th Edition
ISBN:9781285859460
Author:BOYES, William
Publisher:BOYES, William
Chapter21: Demand: Consumer Choic
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1E
icon
Related questions
Question

Suppose that Biff enters a hot dog eating contest. He enjoys hot dogs, so he gladly pays the $20 entry fee. Biff realizes there is very little chance that he will actually win the contest. He just likes the idea of being able to eat all the hot dogs he wants. The table below shows Biff’s utility from eating hot dogs.

 

 

 

a. Use the table below and fill in the values for marginal utility.

 

Hot Dogs and Biff's Utility

Hot Dogs Total Utility (utils) Marginal Utility (utils)
5 48
6 52  
7 54  
8 55  
9 54  
10 51  

 

b. Use the table to graph Biff's total utility and marginal utility for hot dogs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c. If Biff is rational, and has no intention of winning the hot dog eating contest, what is the optimal number of hot dogs he will eat? What is the maximum level of utility Biff can reach from eating that number of hot dogs?

 

     Optimal number of hot dogs: 

 

     Maximum utility: 

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps with 2 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Utility Maximization
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Economics:
Economics:
Economics
ISBN:
9781285859460
Author:
BOYES, William
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Economics 2e
Principles of Economics 2e
Economics
ISBN:
9781947172364
Author:
Steven A. Greenlaw; David Shapiro
Publisher:
OpenStax
Micro Economics For Today
Micro Economics For Today
Economics
ISBN:
9781337613064
Author:
Tucker, Irvin B.
Publisher:
Cengage,
Exploring Economics
Exploring Economics
Economics
ISBN:
9781544336329
Author:
Robert L. Sexton
Publisher:
SAGE Publications, Inc
Economics: Private and Public Choice (MindTap Cou…
Economics: Private and Public Choice (MindTap Cou…
Economics
ISBN:
9781305506725
Author:
James D. Gwartney, Richard L. Stroup, Russell S. Sobel, David A. Macpherson
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Microeconomics: Private and Public Choice (MindTa…
Microeconomics: Private and Public Choice (MindTa…
Economics
ISBN:
9781305506893
Author:
James D. Gwartney, Richard L. Stroup, Russell S. Sobel, David A. Macpherson
Publisher:
Cengage Learning