FHCE 3150 Final Exam
Which of the following are most likely to have indifference curves that are L-shaped? 1. your textbook and its study guide 2. Ice cream and frozen yogurt 3. a white shirt and a blue shirt 4. Coke and pepsi
1. your textbook and its study guide
Given the four determinants of price elasticity of demand, explain the difference between a price consumption curve and an individual demand curve.
The difference between a price consumption curve and an individual demand curve is that the PCC for good X is the set of optimal consumption bundles traced on an indifference map as the price of good X increases or decreases.An individual demand curve shows the relationship between how much a consumer wants to purchase that good for at different prices.
The slope of a budget line in a two-goods model can be interpreted as: 1. the amount of one good that the consumer is willing to give up to acquire the equally satisfying unit of the other good 2. the opportunity cost of one good in terms of the quantity of the other good (the market exchange price of the other good) 3. consumer's reaction to a price increase 4. the size of available budget (purchasing power)
2. the opportunity cost of one good in terms of the quantity of the other good (i.e., the market exchange price of the good).
If a budget line with good Y on the vertical axis and good X on the horizontal axis is linear with a negative slope we know that: 1. the price of good X declines as more of the good is purchased. 2. the price of good X and the price of good Y are constant no matter what the consumer's market basket mix between the two goods is. 3. the price of good Y increases as more of it is purchased. 4. Both a and c are correct.
2. the price of good X and the price of good Y are constant no matter what the consumer's market basket mix between the two goods is.
If two goods are perfect substitutes, then their .......................... Given the good Y on the vertical axis what will be the sum of the substitution effect and the income effect? (The diagram can used for analysis: The starting point is at A, and the end point is at D.): 1. Marginal rate of substitution is zero. .... The substitution effect can be very large. 2. Indifference curves are positively sloped straight lines. ..... The sum of two effects results from (X*,0) to (0,Y*) 3. Indifference curves are negatively sloped straight lines. .... The sum of two effects results from (X*,0) to (0,Y*). 4. Indifference curves are bowed inward. .... The sum of two effects results results from (X*,0) to (X*,Y*)
3. Indifference curves are negatively sloped straight lines. .... The sum of two effects results from (X*,0) to (0,Y*).
Which statement is true within the framework of rational choice economics? 1. When the relative prices change a rational consumer's preference pattern will be altered. 2. Indifference curves are empirically determined functions that are identical for all persons who are truly rational choice operators. 3. When the relative prices change a rational consumer's preference will not be altered. 4. The budget line and the indifference curves are interdependent in the maximizing models.
3. When the relative prices change a rational consumer's preference will not be altered.
The substitution effect of a price decrease: 1. allows the consumer to obtain a higher level of well-being 2. reflects an increase in real income 3. is a movement on the indifference curve to consume more of the lower priced good and less of the higher priced good 4. both a) and b)
3. is a movement on the indifference curve to consume more of the lower priced good and less of the higher priced good
The cross-price elasticity of demand for iPhones and Android phones is most likely: 1. more than 1 2. less than negative 1 3. positive 4. negative
3. positive
The income effect of a price change 1. is always larger than the substitution effect in the inferior good case. 2. produces a backward-bending income-consumption curve. 3. reinforces the substitution effect in the normal good case. 4. is always positive.
3. reinforces the substitution effect in the normal good case.
In a two-goods model of consumer behavior, if the price of both goods doubles: 1. the slope of the budget line would become flatter 2. the budget line will remain unchanged 3. the budget curve will move towards the origin and will be parallel to the original line 4. the slope of the budget line will become steeper
3. the budget curve will move towards the origin and will be parallel to the original line
When a tax on gasoline and an income tax rebate program of equal amount is implemented (like the one we discussed in class), then: t1. he tax restricts gas usage and the rebate program restricts usage further. 2. any of the above can occur depending on the size of the tax. 3. the tax restricts gas usage and the rebate program encourages usage, but the net effect is a decrease in consumption. 4. the tax restricts gas usage and the rebate program increases usage, but the net effect is an increase in consumption.
3. the tax restricts gas usage and the rebate program encourages usage, but the net effect is a decrease in consumption.
How does the income effect from the decrease in the price of a good differ from the income? 1. the former moves the consumer to a higher indifference curve, but the latter does not. 2. the latter moves the consumer to a higher indifference curve, but the former does not. 3. with the price change, the consumer is on a higher indifference curve, but on a lower slope relative to the increase in income. 4. there is no difference between the two.
3. with the price change, the consumer is on a higher indifference curve, but on a lower slope relative to the increase in income.
If food is on the vertical axis and shelter on the horizontal axis, the slope of the budget line is given by: 1. Ps / Pf 2. Pf / Ps 3. -Pf / Ps 4. -Ps / Pf
4. -Ps/Pf
A gamble in which you win D dollars if the coin comes up heads, but lose D dollars if the fair coin comes up tails has an expected value of: 1. 1/2D 2. -1/2D 3. D 4. 0
4. 0
If the consumer's weekly budget for ice cream and frozen yogurt is given by C+2Y=10, where C is the quantity of ice cream and Y is the quantity of frozen yogurt, what is the opportunity cost of ice cream in terms of frozen yogurt: 1. 4 2. 1 3. 2 4. 0.5
4. 0.5
There has been much discussion on whether or not marijuana should be legalized. Likely legalizing it should lower the price of marijuana. Assume that if it becomes legal then the price will be cut by a half (or 50%). Given that an estimate of -1.0 of price elasticity of demand for marijuana, what would you expect to be the change in marijuana use? 1. It will be cut in half. 2. It will not change. 3. It will double. 4. It will increase by 50%.
4. It will increase by 50%
A risk-averse individual who owns a $200,000 house and faces the prospect that the house will burn down with the probability 0.05 in any given year will be willing to pay how much of an annual premium to fully insure against such as loss? 1. No more than $5,000 2. Either more or less than $10,000 depending on whether housing is a normal or inferior good for the individual 3. $5,000 4. More than $10,000
4. More than $10,000
What is the market demand curve for the two consumers who have the following demand functions? 1) P = 60 - 1.2Q 2) P = 60 - 2Q: 1. P = 120 - 3.2Q 2. P = 60 - .8Q 3. P = 60 - 3.2Q 4. P = 60 - .75Q
4. P = 60 - .75Q
If the government wishes to raise revenue by taxing cigarettes, it: 1. is best to have the consumer pay the tax since they view cigarettes 2. is foolish since a sales tax increase leads to less revenue in an industry like tobacco 3. is best to tax the producer since they will not cut production just because of the tax 4. makes no difference whether the consumer or the producer actually transfers the money to the government since the market effects are the same
4. makes no difference whether the consumer or the producer actually transfers the money to the government since the market effects are the same
If income of buyers goes down: 1. the demand curve will always shift right 2. the demand curve will never change 3. the demand curve will always shift left 4. the demand curve could either shift right or left
4. the demand curve could either shift right or left
Equilibrium in the utility maximization model represents the most satisfying and affordable combination of goods that a consumer can purchase. It is given by: 1. the intersection of the marginal utility curve with the supply curve 2. the most-to-the-left point at which the budget line and indifference curve intersect 3. the point at which two of the highest indifference curves intersect 4. the point of tangency between budget line and the highest indifference curve
4. the point of tangency between budget line and the highest indifference curve
The decomposition of total effect is: 1. when the substitution effect is less than income effect. 2. when the substitution effect is equal to income effect. 3. when the substitution effect is greater than income effect. 4. the sum of the substitution and income effects.
4. the sum of the substitution and income effects.
The income-leisure model of work is based on the assumption that: 1. the worker considers work as economically bad. 2. the worker is able to choose the desired level of income. 3. the worker works for a fixed number of hours a week. 4. the worker is able to choose how many hours to work.
4. the worker is able to choose how many hours to work.
The law of demand states: 1. when the price of a product increases, suppliers are incentivized to supply more of it 2. prices will continue to rise as long as the population grows 3. supply creates its own demand 4. when the price of a product falls, people will buy more of it
4. when the price of a product falls, people will buy more of it
Your favorite movie has just been released on video. If you were offered the choice of buying the tape for $20 with a $3 rebate, or the choice of simply paying $17 for the tape with no rebate, which offer would you choose if you acted: a. according to the rational choice model? b. according to the Kahneman-Tversky value function?
If you were rational, you would rather pay $17 for the tape since this would require less sales tax and you would not have to wait for the rebate. If you behaved according to the K-T value function the loss of the extra three dollars is more than offset by the $3 gain so you would be more inclined to opt for the rebate offer which will make you feel better off
To extend further understanding of consumer surplus concept, let's analyze it in a whole market. Suppose in the market the demand and supply of hamburgers can be represented by the diagram below. Initial equilibrium price and quantity are at $2/unit and 300 units. What area and value are represented by consumer surplus at P=$2? then at P=$2.50? (You can choose to illustrate the solution with inserting your own graph.)
The area that was initially the consumer surplus was located under the demand curve, yet above the price paid (the triangle under the demand curve but above G). Now the consumer surplus is the area under the demand curve, yet above the now increased price (the triangle under the demand curve but above H). To find the area of consumer surplus for when the price is at $2 and $2.50, we use the formula 1/2BH. When the equilibrium is at $2, the base is 300 and the height is 1.5. We then multiply those two together and divide by 2 to get 225. When the price increases, the base is 200 and the height is 1. So we multiply 200 by 1 and divide by 2 to get 100. As we can see mathematically and graphically, the consumer surplus decreased when the price increased because the willingness to pay stayed the same. So the consumer surplus was 225, then it dropped down to 100, so the loss of consumer surplus is 125.
Explain briefly the key characteristics of the Absolute Income Hypothesis. What difference in saving behavior between rich and poor consumers does this theory help explain?
The key characteristics of the absolute income hypothesis is consumption is determined by the absolute level of income. It also studies how a consumer divides his disposable income between consumption and savings. Poor consumers have a higher consumption to income ratio than rich consumer. This means poor consumers spend more and save less when compared to rich consumers, who save more and spend less when compared to poor consumers.
With the PCC, the set of optimal bundles are traced out by the various budget lines. Recall that a change in the price of a good affects consumers' purchase decisions for 2 reasons. What are these two reasons? (You can choose explain it conceptually and/or with a graph as long as your explanation is consistent.)
The two reasons behind this would be the substitution effect and income effect. The price change of a good then causes a consumer to consume/buy less of the product and consume/buy a good that has a lower price. Another reason is the income effect which means that with the higher price of the good, the buying power of income has been reduced (even though actual income has not changed) which leads to buying less of the good.
According to the a textbook (& PPT) example that illustrated how new homeowners could experience an increase in their well-being even if the price of the home that they just purchased reduced significantly one day after the purchase. Explain in your own words what two assumptions are needed to make this experience of still increasing in their welfare to hold true.
Your new budget constraint after the reduction in the value of the home must be at least as well off after the price change as before. The change in the relative price means your new budget constraint contains bundles beyond your original indifference curve. Because housing is now cheaper than before, you can respond by purchasing more units of housing and fewer units of other goods.
In your own words, properly explain the Welfare Effect from Rising Housing Prices on Homeowners depicted in the scenario below: You have just purchased a house for $200,000. The very next day, the prices of all houses, including the one you just bought, double. (2-3 sentences)
When looking at the graph, the original budget constraint was B1. After the value of your home doubled, your budget is not B2. When the price of housing doubles, you will only be able to purchase 1.5 units of housing as opposed to before, when you could have purchased 2. On B2, the optimal bundle is C, which contains H1<1 units of housing and O2>200,000 units worth of other goods. Bundle C is located higher on the indifference curve than bundle A, which was the original optimal bundle, you were actually better of before the price increase.
Suppose the demand for cigarettes was P= 120- 7Q, and the supply for cigarettes was P=5Q. The market equilibrium quantity in this market would be: 1. 10 2. 100 3. 5 4. 20
1. 10
The market demand for a gallon of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is 5P=50-0.25Q. What price should be charged and quantity should be sold when the LPG producers want to produce where the elasticity of demand is negative unity? 1. 100 gallons at $5 2. 10 gallons at $100 3. Q = 100 gallons 4. P =$5
1. 100 gallons at $5
Suppose your business decides to increase parking fees in order to deal with the shortage of parking spaces. However, the manager of your business convinces the board to pay back the amount spent on higher parking fees to its users in the form of a rebate at the end of the calendar year. As a result, the increase in parking fees will: 1. Can reduce the demand for parking and hence alleviate the parking shortage. 2. Make the parking shortage even worse because users want rebates badly. 3. Not solve the parking shortage because users do not care. 4. Will have no effect since it will be offset entirely by the rebate.
1. Can reduce the demand for parking and hence alleviate the parking shortage.
There are two individual demand curves representing the entire market for a commodity. (1) P=60-10Q(2) P=60-15Q Find the market demand curve for this commodity and compute the value of its price elasticity of demand at P = $30? Note: Price elasticity of demand is ε=∆Q/Q∆P/P=∆Q∆P·PQ=1/ slope·PQ, where slope=∆P/∆Q 1. P=60-6Q and the demand is unit elastic. 2. P=6-60Q and the demand is more elastic. 3. P=60-6Q and the demand is more inelastic. 4. P=60-6Q and the demand is perfectly inelastic.
1. P=60-6Q and the demand is unit elastic.
When the price of a good changes, we call the change in consumption that leaves the consumer indifferent, the: 1. Substitution effect 2. Utility effect 3. Income effect 4. Price effect 5. Wealth effect
1. Substitution effect
When given an opportunity to deposit 10% of income to the retirement saving account with an equal employer matching contribution, many employees decline the offer. However, when given the same opportunity in the form of future commitment, i.e., the employee's and the employer's contributions would start next year, many of the employees who declined the first offer would now accept. This illustrates the concept of _________. 1. hyperbolic discounting 2. relative budget constraint 3. declining marginal rate of substitution of inter-temporal consumption 4. concave time preferences
1. hyperbolic discounting
A risk-averse individual ________: 1. prefers a sure return to an uncertain prospect generating the same expected return 2. is indifferent between a sure return and an uncertain prospect generating the same expected return 3. will forgo a sure return in favor of an uncertain prospect generating the same expected return 4. will avoid all risky investments no matter what the return
1. prefers a sure return to an uncertain prospect generating the same expected return
The slope of an indifference curve in a two-good model can be interpreted as: 1. the amount of one good that the consumer is willing to give up to acquire the equally satisfying unit of the other good 2. the opportunity cost of one good in terms of the quantity of the other good (the market exchange price of the good) 3. the size of the available budget (purchasing power) 4. consumer's reaction to a price increase
1. the amount of one goof that the consumer is willing to give up to acquire the equally satisfying unit of the other good
The reservation price of good X is: 1. the price at which one would be indifferent between good X and simply keeping the money 2. any price above what you would be willing to pay for the good 3. the market price for a good 4. the cost of producing good X
1. the price at which one would be indifferent between good X and simply keeping the money
One determinant of price elasticity of demand that can characterize the share of total expenditures on a product such that can describe the income effect of a price change in the market is: 1. the share of consumer budget. 2. more consumers enter the market. 3. the number of households without children. 4. single individuals.
1. the share of consumer budget.
Moral hazard occurs when incentives that lead people to file fraudulent claims or to be negligent in their care of goods insured against theft or damage. On the other hand, adverse selection is the process by which: 1. the undesirable members of a particular market are more likely to participate in exchange. 2. adversaries communicate negative messages. 3. the more desirable potential trading partners volunteer to exchange. 4. full-disclosure becomes impossible.
1. the undesirable members of a particular market are more likely to participate in exchange.
The income-consumption curve shows us: 1. whether we spend more or less on a commodity when income changes. 2. the changes in nominal income that occur for a price change of a good. 3. whether we spend more or less on a commodity when its price changes. 4. the substitution effect of a price change.
1. whether we spend more or less on a commodity when income changes.
Refer to the graph below. Assume that the initial equilibrium in the market for bus rides is point A (30 rides per week). The price of bus rides increases and the equilibrium changes to point B (20 rides per week). The substitution effect of the change in consumer behavior is: 1. 6 2. 4 3. 10 4. 20
2. 4
The cross-price elasticity of demand is the percentage change in the quantity of one good demanded that results from a tenth percent change in the price of the other good, and its positive value indicates the types of goods are substitutes. 1. True 2. False 3. Uncertain 4. None of above
2. False
Holding the composite good Y constant, after the price of a normal good rises we've seen the income and substitution effects result in the consumption decrease of that good. What will be the result in the case of a price decrease of that normal good? 1. The income effect will decrease consumption of the good and the substitution effect will increase consumption. 2. The income effect and the substitution effect will both increase consumption of the good. 3. the income effect will increase consumption of the good and the substitution effect will decrease consumption. 4. The income effect and the substitution effect will not change consumption of the good. 5. The income effect and the substitution effect will both decrease consumption of the good.
2. The income effect and the substitution effect will both increase consumption of the good.
A decrease in the price of one good will cause: 1. a parallel shift in the budget curve 2. an outward rotation of the budget curve 3. an inside shift of the budget curve 4. an inward rotation of the budget curve
2. an outward rotation of the budget curve
The income effect of the price increase: 1. is in the same direction as the substitution effect. 2. depends on whether the good in normal or inferior. 3. is in the opposite direction to the price change. 4. is in the same direction as the price change.
2. depends on whether the good in normal or inferior
Indifference curves that intersect will be illogical because: 1. they are assumed to be convex 2. of the consistency (transitivity) property of indifference theory 3. of diminishing marginal utility 4. more is better than less
2. of the consistency (transitivity) property of indifference theory
From the diagram below, which of the following price-quantity data would be part of the demand curve derived? 1. price=5, quantity=20 2. price=5, quantity=23 3. All of the above 4. price=5, quantity=8
2. price=5, quantity=23
If there is a shortage in the market: 1. the market quantity of the good will increase 2. the price will likely go up 3. market is in equilibrium 4. the price will likely go down
2. the price will likely go up
The marginal utility of a good is the: 1. rate at which the consumer utility increases 2. the rate at which total utility changes with the consumption of the good 3. total utility derived at any point 4. tradeoff rate between the good under consideration at any particular point
2. the rate at which total utility changes with the consumption of the good
If the consumer is willing to give up 3 units of food (vertical axis) in exchange for one unit of shelter (horizontal axis) and food is priced at 10 and shelter at 20, then the consumer is purchasing: 1. less than the budget would allow 2. too much shelter for utility maximization 3. too much food for utility maximization 4. just the right amount of each good for utility maximization
2. too much shelter for utility maximization
From the diagram shown below, when a price of gasoline rose from $2/gal to $3/gal, the loss in consumer surplus was the shaded area DCEF, i.e. $7.50/week. By how much would consumer surplus shrink if the price of gasoline increased further from $3/gal to $4/gal? 1. $4.50/week 2. $7.50/week 3. $6.50/week 4. $5.50/week
3. $6.50/week
Suppose Microsoft stock will provide either a return of 10 or 20 percent over the next year and that the probability of the former outcome is 0.25 while the probability of the latter is 0.75. The expected return on Microsoft stock over the next year is thus ________%. 1. 15 2. 12.5 3. 17.5 4. 20
3. 17.5
Let the demand curve be P=10-Q, let the supply be given by P=Q. What is the equilibrium price? 1. 0 2. 2 3. 5 4. 10
3. 5
If a person earns M1 this year and M2 next year and the interest rate is denoted by the letter i, what is the formula for the present value of both incomes?: 1. M1(1 + i)/M2 2. (M1 + M2)/i 3. M1 + M2/(1 + i) 4. None of the above 5. M1(i) + M2(i)
3. M1 + M2/(1 + i)
The graph of the budget line below has dollars on the vertical axis and food on the horizontal axis. Which statement is false? 1. The horizontal intercept represents all the food the consumer could purchase with the budget available. 2. If the amount of money available is known in this graph, then the absolute and relative price of food is known also. 3. The distance OA shows the amount of money spent on OD amount of food. 4. The vertical intercept represents all money available for purchasing.
3. The distance OA shows the amount of money spent on OD amount of food
Consumer's weekly budget for coffee and doughnuts is $10. A cup of coffee and a doughnut cost costs $1 each. The line B1 in the figure below shows the consumer's budget constraint. Explain what changes in the parameters of the model would shift the budget line to position B2: 1. the shift might be caused by the prices of the both goods doubled 2. the shift might be caused by the consumer income dropped to $5 a week 3. The shift might be caused by a combination of both the consumer income dropped to $5 per week and the prices of both goods doubled so that the collective purchasing power dropped by a half 4. the shift might be caused by an income drop to $8 and prices of both goods increased to $1.65
3. The shift might be caused by a combination of both the consumer income dropped to $5 per week and the prices of both goods doubled so that the collective purchasing power dropped by a half
What is the most likely cross-price elasticity between beef and vegetables for a strict vegan when the prices of vegetables have increased? 1. Negative 2. Positive 3. Zero 4. Either zero or negative depending on whether the vegan eats less vegetables.
3. Zero
Refer to the graph below. Assume that the initial equilibrium in the market for bus rides is point A (30 rides per week). The price of bus rides increases and the equilibrium changes to point B (20 rides per week). The diagram suggest that bus travel is a type of: 1. an inferior good 2. a Giffen good 3. a normal good 4. a luxury good
3. a normal good
Your utility function is given by U = M2 . You are (Graphically draw this equation, exam it in the first quadrant.) 1. risk averse 2. risk neutral 3. a risk seeker / risk lover 4. it is impossible to say
3. a risk seeker / risk lover
In a model of present vs. future consumption, an increase in the interest rate will, assuming that consumption in both periods is a normal good, ... 1. result in no change in current consumption. 2. increase current consumption. 3. decrease current consumption. 4. be not possible to predict.
3. decrease current consumption.
According to the Life-cycle hypothesis, if a person received a payment roughly equal to her current income, her consumption would: 1. would not increase at all. 2. roughly double. 3. increase, but not by as much as the increase in income. 4. increase by more than the increase in income.
3. increase, but not by as much as the increase in income.
In this chapter, we encounter several theories explaining financial and consumption decision behaviors. What would Precautionary Saving theory imply? 1. individuals save more when they expect future price increase (inflation) 2. All of the above 3. individuals save more when they are uncertain about their future income 4. individuals save more when they want to leave a bequest to their heirs
3. individuals save more when they are uncertain about their future income
A risk-neutral consumer: 1. will always refuse a fair gamble. 2. will always accept a fair gamble. 3. is indifferent between accepting and refusing a fair gamble. 4. avoids all risks.
3. is indifferent between accepting and refusing a fair gamble.
If the surgeon general announces that Cola causes cancer ,then we would expect 1. one cannot tell 2. the demand for Cola will shift right 3. the demand for Cola will shift left 4. the demand for Cola will stay the same
3. the demand for Cola will shift left
Excluding corner solutions, in consumer equilibrium, which of the following is true? 1. The consumer can improve his/her situation by consuming more of both goods. 2. The indifference curve is steeper than the budget constraint. 3. The marginal rate of substitution equals the slope of the budget constraint. 4. The consumer is minimizing utility given the constraints.
3. the marginal rate of substitution equals the slope of the budget constraint
Expected return/value is defined as ________: 1. the average probability of profit on a fair investment. 2. the expected probability of high returns on an investment. 3. the summed value of each possible rate of return weighted by its probability. 4. the summed value of each possible rate of return discounted for inflation.
3. the summed value of each possible rate of return weighted by its probability.
Conspicuous consumption as an ability signal: 1. is completely different from a prisoner's dilemma. 2. is more effective if the positional goods nature of consumption causes everyone to consume elaborately. 3. will likely continue even if it is wasteful for all involved. 4. characterized by lower levels of consumption.
3. will likely continue even if it is wasteful for all involved.
One thousand dollars given to you a year from now is worth __________ to you today if the relevant discount rate is 10%.: 1. $1000 2. $1100 3. $890.09 4. $909.09
4. $909.09
If the consumer's budget constraint is given by 10F+ 5S = 100 where F is food and S is shelter. How much food can he buy if he purchases 4 units of shelter? 1. 9 2. 5 3. 10 4. 8
4. 8
Which of the following gambles of flipping a fair coin should be considered more attractive? 1. If heads, you win $200; if tails, you lose $198. 2. If heads, you win $5; if tails, you lose $10. 3. If heads, you win $6; if tails, you lose $4. 4. If heads, you win $9; if tails, you lose $6.
4. If heads, you win $9; if tails, you lose $6.
In principle and practice, reference groups can show influence consumption, e.g. think of your group and friends' groups. By "Keeping Up with the Joneses", this metaphor is referred by ________. 1. Life-cycle model 2. Absolute Income Hypothesis 3. Permanent Income Hypothesis 4. Relative Income Hypothesis
4. Relative Income Hypothesis
Which of the following is most likely an inferior good? 1. Salt 2. Food in general 3. Chewing gum 4. The cheapest low-quality foods e.g., fast-food
4. The cheapest low-quality foods e.g., fast-food
Suppose the cross-price elasticity of demand for iPhones (i.e., X) and Android phones (e.g., Z) is 1.25. How much will the price of Android phones change after the quantity demanded for iPhones has increased from 8000 to 10000 units? 1. There is no impact on the price change of Android phones because of the relationship of 1-to-1 trade-off. 2. The price of Android phones will be increasing greatly by 25%. 3. The price of Android phones will be likely to decrease to remain the market. 4. The price of Android phones will be likely to increase by 20%.
4. The price of Android phones will be likely to increase by 20%.
In the textbook, income elasticity of demand is defined as the percentage change in the quantity of a good demanded that results from a 1 percent change in income. If = 0.50, what will be the quantity of a good when your income increases to $50,000 from $40,000? 1. The quantity demanded remains approximately the same as before. 2. The quantity demanded is likely increasing and less than 10%. 3. The quantity demanded changes approximately the same size, e.g. 25%. 4. The quantity demanded is likely increasing by 12.5%.
4. The quantity demanded is likely increasing by 12.5%.
In a two goods model of consumer behavior, an increase in price in one good with no changes in income will cause: 1. an outward parallel shift of the budget curve 2. an inward parallel shift of the budget curve 3. no change in the budget curve 4. an inward rotation of the budget curve
4. an inward rotation of the budget curve
Recall Consumer Preferences (Chapter 3), the utility function framework is analogous to an indifference map framework in that both provide a complete description of the consumer's preferences. That is, the indifference curve framework allows ranking any two bundles by seeing which one lies on a higher indifference curve as the utility-function framework allows comparing any two bundles by seeing which one yields a greater number of utils. Thus, for each possible bundle of goods, a utility function is" 1. a mathematical expression that yields a number that represents the amount of satisfaction provided by that bundle. 2. is given by U(X,Y), where X denotes the number of quantity of good X and Y denotes the number of quantity of composite good Y. 3. only b). 4. both a) and b).
4. both a) and b).
The marginal benefit of a typical activity: 1. can never be negative 2. increases as long as the activity has any value to you 3. stays the same if the cost of doing the activity stays the same 4. decreases as you do more of the activity
4. decreases as you do more of the activity
The substitution effect of the price increase: 1. is in the same direction as the income effect. 2. depends on whether the good in normal or inferior. 3. is in the same direction as the price change. 4. is in the opposite direction to the price change.
4. is in the opposite direction to the price change.
If an educational voucher system were adopted where parents could spend their share of education tax dollars at any school of their choice, then we could expect families to: 1. make no changes in their education choices because the relative price of private and public education has not changed. 2. choose less education than before because the public schools would get better. 3. make choices that cannot be predicted by economic theory. 4. spend more on education.
4. spend more on education
When a product that depicted on the horizontal axis of a typical indifference curve model of behavior is taxed, then: 1. the budget line becomes flatter. 2. all the indifference curves of the consumer become steeper. 3. the indifference curve of the consumer shifts right. 4. the budget line becomes steeper.
4. the budget line becomes steeper
What is Consumer Surplus? How is a loss in consumer surplus defined? How is a gain in consumer surplus defined?
Consumer surplus is the difference between what the consumer is willing to pay and what they actually pay. It is also a dollar measure of the extent to which a consumer benefits from participating in a transaction. A loss in consumer surplus is defined when the price paid increases, and a gain in consumer surplus is when the price paid decreases.
From the concept of Two-Part Pricing, when would it be logical that sellers design this pricing strategy? When not?
It would be logical for a seller to have two part pricing when their is restricted usage/ a limited amount of something. An example of this would be tennis courts at a country club. Members would pay a fee to be a part of the country club and would also pay to use the tennis courts because the tennis courts are in high demand, yet there are only a few. It would not be logical to use two step pricing when you want the consumers to enjoy the experience they paid for with the initial price and supply is not a problem. An example of this would be Disney World. Once you pay the fee to get in, there is no additional fee to ride as many rides as you would like.
You have $50,000 of current income and $63,000 of future income. If the interest rate between the current and future period is 5 percent, what is the present value of your lifetime income? What is the maximum amount you could consume in the future? What is the equation describing your inter-temporal budget constraint?
The Present Value is $110,000. The Future Value is $115,500. The equation is C2= -1.05C1+ 115,500.
In your own words, properly explain the Welfare Effect from Falling Housing Prices on Homeowners depicted in the scenario below: You have just purchased a house for $200,000. The very next day, the prices of all houses, including the one you just bought, fall by half. (2-3 sentences)
The original budget was B1, and now your budget is B3 after the housing prices fell by half. Given the budget constraint of B3, the most optimal budget would now be D, which contains H3>1 units of housing and O3<200,000 units worth of other goods. Because housing is now cheaper to afford, you can purchase more units of housing and fewer units of other goods
Explain the diagram of the education system after the rebate is applied Textbook figure 5.3
This graph represents the policy of implementing school vouchers into our educational system. The voucher system would allow parents to provide small increases above 1 unit of education at the price of Pe per unit. The budget constraint changes from the graph above (A'BC) to A'BD. The family then choses bundle G, which is now more optimal for the family because it contains more than 1 unit of education. Switching to the voucher system would help the educational system because it will increase the level of spending on education and parents do not have to forfeit school taxes when they switch from public to private schools.
The Kahneman-Tversky value function is: 1. a symmetrical utility function for gains and losses. 2. steeper in losses than in gains. 3. steeper in gains than in losses. 4. not defined over changes in income or wealth.
2. steeper in losses than in gains.
Externalities and Property Rights: Failure of Free Market According to negative externality (a third party harmed by a transaction) and positive externality (a third party benefits from a transaction), which of the following is an example of an externality? 1. All of the above 2. Berners Lee developed the World Wide Web (i.e., the technology behind Internet websites) and made it freely available to everyone 3. pollution from car engines 4. smoking in a crowded place
1. All of the above
Given that the good is normal (or inferior), the effect of the rise (or fall) in income will tell the direction of the relationship between income and the quantity demanded of that good. 1. True 2. False
1. True
Theory of rational consumer choice carries the assumption that the consumers will enter the market place to obtain a bundle of goods and services with well-defined preferences: 1. True 2. False
1. True
With a normal good, the income and substitution effects: 1. always work together and both tend to make the demand curve downward sloping. 2. just offset each other. 3. work together, with both tending to make the demand curve upward sloping. 4. always work in opposition to one another.
1. always work together and both tend to make the demand curve downward sloping.
For two goods which are perfect complements, the substitution effect of a price decrease is: 1. zero 2. positive 3. one 4. negative
1. zero
Suppose that you are deciding between seeing a movie and going to a concert on a particular Saturday evening. You are willing to pay $20 to see the movie and the movie ticket costs $5. You are willing to pay $80 for the concert and the concert ticket costs $50. The opportunity cost of going to the movie is: 1. $5 2. $35 3. $30 4. $65
2. $30
If the consumer's weekly budget for frozen yogurt and ice cream is given by 0.5C+Y=5, where C is the quantity of ice cream and Y is the quantity of frozen yogurt, how much ice cream can she buy if she already purchased 3 units of frozen yogurt this week? 1. 0.5 2. 4 3. 8 4. 16
2. 4
From the concepts of Consumer Surplus and Two-Part Pricing, the graphical representation of consumer surplus that sellers seek to get from consumers is: 1. The area under the demand curve above the horizontal axis. 2. The area under the demand curve above the price that is charged. 3. The area under the demand curve from the horizontal intercept to the price. 4. The rectangle area of the price times the quantity.
2. The area under the demand curve above the price that is charged.
When comparing T-bills and stocks, a risk-averse investor may choose to invest in T-bills although stocks give higher average returns because ________: 1. investing in stocks involves a long term commitment 2. investing in stocks involves a higher degree of risk 3. stocks are less liquid than T-bills 4. stocks cannot be bought and sold in a secondary market
2. investing in stocks involves a higher degree of risk
The consumer price index overestimates inflation because it: 1. compares prices of what consumers actually buy rather than a fixed basket of goods. 2. measures the cost of a market basket in the second year that has too many units of the most inflated items (i.e., consumers switched to relatively less expensive goods). 3. allows consumers to move along a given indifference curve from one year to the next. 4. uses the second year's market basket as the base rather than the first year's basket.
2. measures the cost of a market basket in the second year that has too many units of the most inflated items (i.e., consumers switched to relatively less expensive goods).
The price consumption curve shows us: 1. the total effect of a price change. 2. None of the above. 3. the changes in income that occur for a price change of a good. 4. the substitution effect of a price change.
2. none of the above
When the size of the potential loss is small, most people will 1. insure because insurance costs less than the expected loss. 2. self-insure because they can afford it and the expected loss is less than the insurance premium. 3. self-insure because the expected loss cannot be calculated. 4. self-insure because insurance companies do not like to insure for small losses.
2. self-insure because they can afford it and the expected loss is less than the insurance premium.
Departures from Standard Rational Choice: First: Imagine you want to buy a ticket to a sold-out rock concert. Your only hope of seeing the concert is to buy a ticket from a scalper. There is a 40% chance that the ticket you buy will be a counterfeit. a. If going to the concert gives you a $200 worth of pleasure (payoff denoted as P), and the price for concert tickets is $175, what is your expected payoff if you buy a ticket from a scalper?b. Suppose you find out that you can buy legitimate tickets from an agency for $225. What variable would have to change in order for you to pay $225 for a ticket? Now: Suppose you decide to buy a ticket from the agency above (in Problem 1) for $225, and there is a 10% chance that the check you write to the agency will bounce and they will never recover what you owe them.a. What is the agency's expected payoff?b. Suppose it will cost the agency $25 in paperwork to ensure the validity of all checks. Should they pay for this option? (Hint: a. EV=E(P)=-55; b. what value must increase by at least $25?; a. EV=E(P)=$202.5; b. The net value/worth is $200, then this option would be attractive to them, or not?)
E(P)= 0.4 (175)+0.6(200-175)=70+120-105=-55 The payoff would increase by at least $25 E(P)=0.9(225)+0.1(0)=202.5 Net worth of the option: E(P)=225-25=200. Since 200 is less than the expected payoff of 202.5 without the option, the agency should not pay for this option.
There are two individual demand curves representing the entire market for a commodity. (1) P=60-10Q(2) P=60-15Q Find the market demand curve for this commodity and compute the value of its price elasticity of demand at P = $30? Note: Price elasticity of demand is ε=∆Q/Q∆P/P=∆Q∆P·PQ=1slope·PQ, where slope=∆P∆Q{"version":"1.1","math":"<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mi>ε</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><mo>∆</mo><mi>Q</mi><mo>/</mo><mi>Q</mi></mrow><mrow><mo>∆</mo><mi>P</mi><mo>/</mo><mi>P</mi></mrow></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mstyle displaystyle="true"><mo>∆</mo><mi>Q</mi></mstyle><mstyle displaystyle="true"><mo>∆</mo><mi>P</mi></mstyle></mfrac><mo>·</mo><mfrac><mstyle displaystyle="true"><mi>P</mi></mstyle><mstyle displaystyle="true"><mi>Q</mi></mstyle></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mstyle P=60-6Q and the demand is unit elastic. P=6-60Q and the demand is more elastic. P=60-6Q and the demand is more inelastic. P=60-6Q and the demand is perfectly inelastic.
P=60-6Q and the demand is unit elastic
Explain the gasoline tax and rebate policy diagram Textbook Figure 5.1
The policy being demonstrated here is gasoline tax and rebate policy. In the diagram, we assume the price of gasoline is $1/gal. A 50 cent tax is imposed, raising the price of gasoline to $1.50. We also know from the graph that a consumer's starting income is $150. Line B1 shows the consumers budget constraint before the rebate received. If we follow the budget constraint on B1, the consumer would choose point C and consume 58 gal/week of gas because that is the optimal point on the budget constraint. If the price increases to $1.50, and the income remains the same at $150, the budget line would then rotate inward and the consumer would consume less per week because it now costs more to consume gas, so the consumer would then chose point A at only 30 gal/week. If the consumer receives a rebate, it acts as a change in income. So, in order to represent this on the graph, we graph the ICC through bundle A. If we look at bundle D on the graph, we notice that it is where the ICC intersects through point A on the original budget constraint. D is then the equilibrium bundle where gasoline is $1.50 and the consumer income is $168/week. Also, a consumer will purchase 36 gallons of gas a week if they receive a rebate of 18 (168-150) dollars a week. They still consume less gas given a rebate.
Explain the current education system diagram Textbook figure 5.2
The policy being graphed here the current education system represented in terms of a family's budget. The family's pretax income is represented by Y, and the amount they pay in school taxes is represented by Pe. The family is entitled to 1 unit of tuition-free public education, but they may also chose a private school education at the cost of Pe per unit. The budget constraint, is therefore, A'BC. It is a corner solution because we are graphing the budget constraint of private and public school education on one graph. The optimal bundle is B, which contains one unit of public education.
Your bike is worth $50. There is a 50% chance that it will be stolen from the dining hall at lunch today. Your utility function for the bike is U=(bike value)2. (Show/explain these calculations when applicable.)1) Are you risk averse, a risk lover, or risk neutral?2) What is the expected value of your bike considering its vulnerability?3) The campus security has a bike check-in that will guard your bike for $5, so there would be no risk of loss. Do you take the campus security deal?4) What is the maximum you would pay security to check in your bike?
The utility function is convex implying that you have increasing marginal utility of wealth. You are a risk-seeker. The expected value is 25. It is calculated by multuplying (0.5)(50)+(0.5)(0)=25 The expected utility of taking the gamble is EU=(0.5)(50 squared) + (0.5) (0 squared)=1,250. Utility of paying for having your bike guarded is U= 45 squared= 2,025. Since U is greater than EU, you will pay $5 and check-in your bike to have it guarded To find the maximum you would pay which is x you solve for the utility of paying amount x is made equal to the utility of taking the gamble, example 1,250= (50-x) squared. Once the equation is solved, you get 14.64