Suppose that the utility function U(c, s) = c + 2s3 describes Molly's preferences over two goods: Carrots (c) and Spinach (s). For the following, think of Carrots as the good graphed on the horizontal axis. a. Derive an expression for her marginal utility for Carrots (U) and her marginal utility for Spinach (US) b. What is Molly's marginal rate of substitution (MRS)? Give a brief (2 sentences maximum) intuitive

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Chapter21: Demand: Consumer Choic
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2. Suppose that the utility function U(c, s) = c +2s3 describes Molly's preferences over two goods:
Carrots (c) and Spinach (s). For the following, think of Carrots as the good graphed on the horizontal
axis.
a. Derive an expression for her marginal utility for Carrots (U) and her marginal utility for Spinach
(US)
b. What is Molly's marginal rate of substitution (MRS)? Give a brief (2 sentences maximum) intuitive
description of what MRS represents: if Molly has 8 units of spinach, holding her utility constant,
how many units of Spinach would she be willing to give up in order to get one more unit of
Carrots?
Find the equation for and graph Molly's indifference curve for a utility level of 40. Be sure to
specify at least 3 bundles of goods on the indifference curve.
d. Which assumption about preferences means that Molly's indifference curve should slope down?
Briefly support your answer.
Give another utility function that represents Molly's preferences just as well as the one given
above. Justify your answer by showing that the formula for MRS for your new utility function is
the same as what you found for the original function in part b.
C.
e.
Transcribed Image Text:2. Suppose that the utility function U(c, s) = c +2s3 describes Molly's preferences over two goods: Carrots (c) and Spinach (s). For the following, think of Carrots as the good graphed on the horizontal axis. a. Derive an expression for her marginal utility for Carrots (U) and her marginal utility for Spinach (US) b. What is Molly's marginal rate of substitution (MRS)? Give a brief (2 sentences maximum) intuitive description of what MRS represents: if Molly has 8 units of spinach, holding her utility constant, how many units of Spinach would she be willing to give up in order to get one more unit of Carrots? Find the equation for and graph Molly's indifference curve for a utility level of 40. Be sure to specify at least 3 bundles of goods on the indifference curve. d. Which assumption about preferences means that Molly's indifference curve should slope down? Briefly support your answer. Give another utility function that represents Molly's preferences just as well as the one given above. Justify your answer by showing that the formula for MRS for your new utility function is the same as what you found for the original function in part b. C. e.
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