Exercises - Recitation #3: Econs 501 Fall 2016 Felix Munoz
Exercises - Recitation #3: Econs 501 Fall 2016 Felix Munoz
Exercises - Recitation #3: Econs 501 Fall 2016 Felix Munoz
Felix Munoz
Exercises – Recitation #3
Exercise 1. Find the demanded bundle for a consumer whose utility function is u(x1,x2)= x13/2x2 and her
budget constraint is 3x1+4x2=100.
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Solution. Making a log transformation of the utility function, ln u ( x1 , x2 ) ln x1 ln x2
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Exercise 2. Use the utility function u(x1,x2)= x11/2x21/3 and the budget constraint m=p1x1+p2x2 to calculate
the Walrasian demand, the indirect utility function, the Hicksian demand, and the expenditure function.
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1 1/2 1/3
x1 x2 p1 ,
2
1 1/2 2/3
x1 x2 p2 ,
3
p1 x1 p2 x2 m.
Solving, we get
3m 2 m
x1 ( p, m) , x2 ( p, m) .
5 p1 5 p2
Plugging these demands into the utility function, we get the indirect utility function
1/2 1/3 1/2 1/3
3 m 2 m m
5/6
3 2
v ( p , m) U x ( p , m ) .
5 p1 5 p2 5 p1 p2
Rewrite the above expression replacing v(p, m) by u and m by e(p, u). Then solve it for e(.) to get
3/5 2/5
p p2
e( p , u ) 5 1 u 6/5
3 2
Finally, since hi e / pi , the Hicksian demands are
2/5 2/5
p p2
h1 ( p, u ) 1 u 6/5 ,
3 2
3/5 3/5
p p2
h2 ( p, u ) 1 u 6/5 .
3 2
Exercise 3. Consider a two-period model with Dave’s utility given by u x1, x2 where x1 represents
his consumption during the first period and x2 is his second period’s consumption. Dave is endowed
with x1, x2 which he could consume in each period, but he could also trade present consumption for
future consumption and vice versa. Thus, his budget constraint is
p1x1 p2 x2 p1x1 p2 x2 ,
where p1 and p2 are the first and second period prices respectively.
a) Derive the Slutsky equation in this model. (Note that now Dave’s income depends on the value
of his endowment which, in turn, depends on prices: m p1x1 p2 x2 .)
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e( p, u )
hi ( p, u ) xi xi p, e( p, u ) xi
pi
Therefore, we have
h j ( p, u ) x j ( p, m) x j p, e( p, u )
xi ( p, m) xi
pi pi m
And reorganizing we get the Slutsky equation
x j ( p, m) h j ( p, u ) x j p, e( p, u )
xi xi ( p, m)
pi pi m
b) Assume that Dave’s optimal choice is such that x1 x . If p1 goes down, will Dave be better off
or worse off? What if p2 goes down?
Solution. The following picture depicts Dave’s optimal allocation h( p, u) for a given price
vector p / p .
1 2
Future’s consumption
x2
p 1
p 2
h( p,u), spending ph( p,u) e( p,u) which
coincides with expenditure (in$)
along all poonts in BL
x 2
x1
Lending
x 1
Borrowing
Intuitively, p x p x measures the extra amount of money that Dave needs to spend after
selling his endowment x , in order to acquire his optimal consumption bundle h( p, u) . Hence,
Dave minimizes the expenditure p x p x at the optimal bundle h( p, u) , i.e., at point A of the
figure.
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When p2 goes down, Dave is better off; since there is a region of the new budget line that lies of
the UCS ( x) , i.e., the set of bundle for which Dave is better off than at his original bundle X.
p
x2
BL 2 2
UCS ( x1, x 2)
x 2
x 2
BL 1
x1
x 1 x 1
When p1 goes down, Dave is worse off; since the new budget line, BL2 , unambiguously lies
below the UCS(X)
x2
p 1
UCS ( x1, x 2)
x 2
x 2
BL 1 BL 2
x1
x 1 x 1
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Exercise 4. The utility function is u x1, x2 min x2 2 x1, x1 2 x2 .
a) Draw the indifference curve for u x1, x2 20. Shade the area where u x1, x2 20.
Solution.
x2 2 x1 20
x2
20
18 A
10
9.5
C
B
2 x2 x1 20
1 10 16 20 x1
The indifference curve is the northeast boundary of these two lines (i.e., the upper envelope). In
particularly, for a bundle ( x1 , x2 ) (1,18) , located at point A in the figure, the consumer’s utility
is
min{18 2 1,1 2 18} min{20,37} 20 .
Similarly, bundle B in the other extreme of the figure, i.e., ( x1 , x2 ) (16, 2) , yields a utility level
of
min{2 2 16,16 2 2} min{34, 20} 20 .
Note that bundles in the southeast boundary, such as C (1,9.5) , only provide a utility of
min{9.5 2 1,1 2 9.5} min{11.5, 20} 11.5 20
So the southwest boundary of the two lines cannot be the indifference curve of u 20 . If we
wanted to depict the indifference curve associated to a utility of u 11.5 , we would need two
lines parallel to the thick lines in the figure but shifted inwards towards to origin so they cross
point C.
Upper contour set. Finally, the upper contour set contains all those bundles to the northeast of the
indifference curve we just depicted
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x1 0
x2 0
2
BL
x1
45
x2
Corner at x2 =0
BL
x1
x1 0
x2 0
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d) If neither x1 nor x2 is equal to zero, and the optimum is unique, what must be the value of
x1 / x2 ?
Solution. If the optimum is unique, it must occur where at the kink x2 2 x1 x1 2 x2 . Since
line x2 2 x1 crosses x1 2 x2 at the 45 -line, the interior optimum occurs at x1 x2 , so that
x1 / x2 1 .
45
x2
BL
x x
1 2
x1
Plugging this result, x1 x2 , into the budget line, we obtain 𝑝1 𝑥2 + 𝑝2 𝑥2 = 𝑤. Solving for 𝑥2 ,
yields a Walrasian demand of
𝑤
𝑥2 = .
𝑝1 + 𝑝2
which coincides with the Walrasian demand of good 1 since 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 at the kink.
Exercise 5. Under current tax law some individuals can save up to $2,000 a year in an Individual
Retirement Account (I.R.A.), a savings vehicle that has an especially favorable tax treatment. Consider
an individual at a specific point in time who has income Y, which he or she wants to spend on
consumption, C, I.R.S. savings, S1 , or ordinary savings S 2 . Suppose that the “reduced form” utility
function is taken to be:
C S1 S2 Y ,
and the limit that he or she can contribute to the I.R.A. is denoted by L.
a) Derive the demand functions for S1 and S 2 for a consumer for whom the limit L is not binding.
Solution. Building the Lagrangian, we obtain:
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L ln s1 ln s2 ln C (Y C s1 s2 ) .
Take all derivatives with respect to , C , s1 , s2 to find s1 , s2 . This is an ordinary Cobb-Douglas
demand:
S1 Y and S2 Y.
b) Derive the demand function S1 and S 2 for a consumer for whom the limit L is binding.
Solution. Since s2 has reached the maximum allowed, L, we plug S2=L in the utility function
U (C , S1 , L) S1 L C . Note that the L term is just a constant, so applying the standard Cobb-
Douglas formula S1 Y.
Exercise 3.E.7. Show that if a preference relation is quasilinear with respect to good 1, the Hicksian
demand functions for the remaining goods 2, 3, …, L do not depend on u. What is the form of the
expenditure function in this case?
Solution. Exercise 3.C.5(b) in MWG shows that every quasilinear preference with respect to good
1 can be represented by a utility function of the form u x x1 u x2 , , xL . Let
e1 1, 0, , 0 L
. We shall prove that for every p 0 with p1 1, u , ,
and x , L 1
, if x h p, u , then x e1 h p, u . Note first that
u x e1 u , that is, x e1 satisfies the constraint of the EMP for p, u . Let
y L
and u y u . Then u y e1 u. Hence, p y e1 p x. Thus
p y p x e1 . Hence x e1 h p, u .
Therefore, for every good 2 , L , u , and u , h p, u h p, u . That is, the hicksian
demand functions for goods 2, L are independent of the utility level that the individual must reach in
his EMP. Thus, if we define the hicksian demand of reaching a zero utility level as h p h p, 0 ,
then the hicksian demand of reaching a positive utility level u 0 , h( p, u) , is h p, u h p ue1 ,
where the positive utility originates from units of good 1.
We can extend the above argument by saying that the hicksian of reaching an even farther utility level
u , h( p, u ) , is h p, u h p, u e1, that is, the hicksian from reaching utility level u
plus additional units of good 1. Thus, we have that the expenditure function of such hicksian demand,
h( p, u ) is e p, u e p, u , which indicates that, in order to increase the utility level from
u to u , the consumer must increase his minimal expenditure from e( p, u ) to e( p, u ) . Thus, if
we define the expenditure of reaching a zero utility level as e p e p, 0 , then the minimal
expenditure of reaching a positive utility level u 0 is e p, u e p u .
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Exericse 3.E.8. For the Cobb-Douglas utility function, verify that the following relationships in (3.E.1)
and (3.E.3) respectively hold.
e(p,v(p,w))=w and v(p,e(p,u))=u, and
h(p,u)=x(p,e(p,u)) and x(p,w)=h(p,v(p,w))
Note that the expenditure function can be derived by simply inverting the indirect utility function, and
vice versa.
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Solution. We use the utility function u x x1 x2 . To prove (3.E.1),
e p, v p, w 1
1 1
p1 p2
1 1
p1 p2 1w w,
v p, e p, u 1 u u.
1
p1 p2 1
1 1 p1 p12
To prove (3.E.3),
x p, e p, u 1
1
p1 p12 u p1 , 1 p2
1
p 1 p
u h p, u ,
2 1
u,
1 p1 p
2
1
p2 1 p1
h p, v p, w
1
1 p1 p2 1w ,
1 p1 p2
w p1 , 1 p2 x p, w .
to show that the properties of the indirect utility function e(p,u) identified in Proposition 3.E.2:
3. Concave in prices.
4. Continuous in p and w.
imply the properties of the expenditure function v(p,w) identified in Proposition 3.D.3:
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2. Strictly increasing in w and nonincreasing in pk for any good k.
3. Quasiconvex; that is, the set {(p,w): v(p,w)≤v} is convex for any v.
4. Continuous in p and w.
to prove that the properties of v(p,w) identified in Proposition 3.D.3 imply the properties of e(p,u)
identified in Proposition 3.E.2.
Solution. First, we shall prove that Proposition 3.D.3 implies Proposition 3.E.2 via (3.E.1). Let
p 0, p 0, u , u , and 0.
(i) Homogeneity of
degree one in p: Let 0. Define
w e p, u , then u v p, w by the second relation of (3.E.1). Hence
e p, u e p, v p, w e p, v p, w w e p, u ,
where the second equality follows from the homogeneity of v , and the third from the first
relation of (3.E.1).
e p 1 p, u e p, u 1 e p, u .
(iv) Continuity: It is sufficient to prove the following statement: For any sequence
p , u p, u
pn , u n with n n
and any w, if e p n , u n w for every n, then
n1
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e p, u w ; if e p n , u n w for every n, then e p, u w . Suppose e p n , u n w for
every n. Then, by the monotonicity of v , in w, and the second relation of (3.E.1), we have
u n v p n , w for every n. By the continuity of v , , u v p, w . By the second relation
of (3.E.1) and the monotonicity of v , in w, we must have e p, u w. The same
argument can be applied for the case with e p n , u n w for every n.
Let’s next prove that Proposition 3.E.2 implies Proposition 3.D.3 via (3.E.1). Let
p 0, p 0, w , w , and 0.
v p, w v p, e p, w v p, e p, u u v p, w ,
where the second equality follows from the homogeneity of e , and the third from
the second relation of (3.E.1).
iii. Quasiconvexity: Quasiconvexity means that the lower contour set ( LCS) is
convex. Let 0,1 . Define u v p, w and u v p, w . Then e p, u w
and e p, u w. Without loss of generality, assume that u u . Define
p p 1 p and. w w (1 )w Then
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e p, u
e p, u 1 e p, u
e p, u 1 e p, u
w 1 w w,
where the first inequality follows from the concavity of e , u the second from the
monotonicity of e , in u and u u . We must thus have v p, w u v( p, w).
iv. Continuity: It is sufficient to prove the following statement. For any sequence
v p n , wn u for every n. Then, by the monotonicity of e , in u and the first
applied for the case with v p n , wn u for every n.
Alternative: An alternative, simpler way to show the equivalence on the
concavity/quasiconvexity and the continuity uses what is sometimes called the epigraph.
As for the continuity, the function e is continuous if and only if both
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p, w, u : e p, u w p, w, u : v p, w u;
p, w, u : e p, u w p, w, u : v p, w u
Hence the continuity of e is equivalent to that of v .
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EconS 501
Microeconomic Theory – Recitation #3 – Exercises.
1. Jan’s utility function for goods X and Y is U = 7200 X .75Y .25 . She must pay $90 for a
unit of good X and $30 for a unit of good Y. Jan’s income is $1200.
a. Determine the amounts of goods X and Y Jan purchases to maximize her utility
given her budget constraint.
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b. Determine the maximum amount of utility Jan receives.
c. Determine the value of λ * associated with this problem.
d. Interpret the value of λ * you computed in part c. as it specifically applies to Jan.
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b. Determine the minimum amount of expenditure made by Jan.
c. Determine the optimal value of λ D and provide a written interpretation of this
value as it specifically applies to Jan in this problem.
d. Compare the optimal values of X, Y and λ you computed in exercise 4.3 with
those you computed in parts a. and c. of this exercise.
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3. Raymond derives utility from consuming goods X and Y, where his utility function is
U = 80 X .25Y .25 . He spends all of his income, I, on his purchases of goods X and Y,
and he must pay prices of Px and Py for each unit of these goods, respectively.
Assume that his income is $3200, the unit price of good X is $100, and the unit price
of good Y is $100.
a. Determine the amounts of goods X and Y that Raymond should purchase to
maximize his utility given his budget constraint.
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b. Determine the maximum amount of utility Raymond can receive.
4. Refer to your response to exercise 5.1.
a. Derive Raymond’s own‐price demand curve for good X.
b. Derive Raymond’s own‐price demand curve for good Y.
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5. Refer to your responses to exercise 5.1.
a. Derive Raymond’s Engel curve for good X.
b. Is good X a normal good or an inferior good? Justify your response
mathematically.
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c. Derive Raymond’s Engel curve for good Y.
d. Is good Y a normal good or an inferior good? Justify your response
mathematically.
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Felix Munoz Fall 2008
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6. Assume an individual’s own‐price demand function for good X is
( )
X = X Px , Py , I = 200 − 4 Px − 1.5 PY + 0.008 I where of Px and Py denote the unit
prices of goods X and Y, respectively, and I denotes the consumer’s money income.
a. Compute the individual’s cross‐price demand curve for good X when the unit
price of good X is $2 and the consumer’s income is $40,000.
b. Are goods X and Y gross substitutes or gross complements? Justify your
response mathematically.
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Felix Munoz Fall 2008
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7. Recall from exercise 5.1 Raymond’s utility function, when he consumes goods X and
Y, is U = 80 X .25Y .25 . Once again, assume the unit price of good X, Px , is $100, and
the unit price of good Y, Py , is $100. Determine the quantities of goods X and Y
Raymond should purchase that will minimize his expenditures on these goods and
yield 320 units of utility to him.
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Felix Munoz Fall 2008
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8. Refer to your response to exercise 5.5.
a. Determine Raymond’s compensated demand curve for good X.
b. Determine Raymond’s compensated demand curve for good Y.
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9. Is it possible for an individual’s demand curve for a good to be positively sloped?
Support your response with an appropriate graphical analysis.
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