Chapter 2, Problem 2.12P

Consider a consumer with the utility function U (x1, x2 ) = 10x12/3x21/3 −50. Suppose the prices of x1 and x2 are 10 and 2 respectively and the consumer has an income of 150. (a)  Write out the consumer’s constrained optimization problem. Specifically, write out the objective function and constraint for the problem (e.g. max _?_ subject to _?__). (b)  Write the Lagrangian equation corresponding to the constrained optimization problem. Derive the Necessary First Order Conditions. (c)  Use the NFOCs to solve for the consumer’s optimal bundle. (d)  Show that at the solution you found in (c), the tangency condition is satisfied: MRS = p1 / p2. (e)  How did the ‘50’ in the utility function influence the optimal con- sumption bundle? How did the ‘10’ in the utility function influence the optimal consumption bundle? (i.e., how would the optimal bun- dle change if these coefficients were to change?). How would the optimal bundle change if the utility function was x12x2? Lastly, how would…

Answer d and e. Consider a consumer with the utility function U (x1, x2 ) = 10x12/3x21/3 −50. Suppose the prices of x1 and x2 are 10 and 2 respectively and the consumer has an income of 150. (a) Write out the consumer’s constrained optimization problem. Specifically, write out the objective function and constraint for the problem (e.g. max _?_ subject to _?__). (b) Write the Lagrangian equation corresponding to the constrained optimization problem. Derive the Necessary First Order Conditions. (c) Use the NFOCs to solve for the consumer’s optimal bundle. (d) Show that at the solution you found in (c), the tangency condition is satisfied: MRS = p1 / p2. (e) How did the ‘50’ in the utility function influence the optimal con- sumption bundle? How did the ‘10’ in the utility function influence the optimal consumption bundle? (i.e., how would the optimal bun- dle change if these coefficients were to change?). How would the optimal bundle change if the utility function was x12x2? Lastly, how…

Consider a consumer’s constrained optimization problem. max u(n,y)=4n+3y subject to wn+y=24w+Yo Where N = non-work (leisure) hours, Y = total income (consumption), w = the wage rate and H = hours worked with N + H = 24. a. Assuming an interior solution, use the first order conditions from the Lagrangean to solve for the utility maximizing choice of N* and Y*. How many hours, H*, does this consumer work? (Any of these answers might be functions of w.) when w=1 and Yo=50. No hand written solution and no image