Write down the MRS in terms of α, β, x, and y   Draw two indifference curves. Do the indifference curves have the same slope along any vertical line (when x is held constant)? Illustrate and explain.   Is it possible to establish whether Y is a normal or inferior good? Explain.

Economics:
10th Edition
ISBN:9781285859460
Author:BOYES, William
Publisher:BOYES, William
Chapter20: Elasticity: Demand And Supply
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 10E
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The Federal election is just around the corner. The competition between the two candidates, Sam and Jenny , is fierce. As a consumer (and Australian voter), you only care about public transportation and child care. Let public transportation be good X and child care be good Y . Each trip in the public transportation costs $10 and each day of child care service costs $100. Your after-tax income is $500 per week. Assume that you always consume a positive amount of both X and Y (also known as interior bundles). Your utility function is given by: U(x, y) = αxβ + 2y + 1

 

Write down the MRS in terms of α, β, x, and y

 

Draw two indifference curves. Do the indifference curves have the same slope along any vertical line (when x is held constant)? Illustrate and explain.

 

Is it possible to establish whether Y is a normal or inferior good? Explain.

 

Based on your answer in part (c), is the price elasticity of Hicksian demand for Y greater, smaller, or equal to that of Marshallian demand? Explain. DO NOT derive the Hicksian and Marshallian demand functions for Y .

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