Chapter 2 Utility Analysis Solutions

3. Identify and explain the concept from the given illustrations.

The given example explains that, Lalita’s want of writing an essay can be satisfied with the help of pen and note-book.

4. Observe the given table and answer the questions:

1) Draw total utility curve and marginal utility curve.
2) a) When total utility is maximum marginal utility is …………….
b) When total utility falls, marginal utility becomes ……………
Answers:
1.

2. Zero
3. Negative

5. Answer in detail:

(B) Statement of the Law :
According to Prof. Alfred Marshall, “Other things remaining constant, the additional benefit which a person derives from a given increase in his stock of a thing, diminishes with every increase in the stock that he already has”.
In simple words, law of DMU can be stated as follows :
“Other things being the same, MU goes on ) diminishing with every successive unit of a j commodity consumed.”

Thus, the law of DMU explains that, the more of a thing you have, the less you want to have more of it.
In short, as consumption of identical units of commodity increases, MU diminishes.

(C) Assumptions of the law of DMU :
Assumptions are those conditions which are necessary for the validity of the law. They are as follows :

The above given schedule shows that MU goes on diminishing with an increases in units of commodity consumed.
Graphical Presentation :

In the above given diagram, X-axis indicates units of commodity and Y-axis measures marginal utility.
Various points are plotted on the graph which indicates MU derived from each unit } of commodity consumed.
When all these point are joined, we get MU curve. It slopes downward from left to right. It shows that MU diminishes as consumption of a commodity increases.
The shaded portion of the diagram shows negative utility. It is because, beyond a certain level, further consumption of a commodity results into disutility.

(E) Exceptions to the law of Diminishing M.U.
Exceptions are those cases for which the law is not applicable. They are as follows :

They are explained as under :
(1) Hobbies : The law of DMU is not applicable in case of collection of stamps, coins, rare paintings, etc. It is because, when its stock increases, M.U. may increases because it gives more and more satisfaction.
However, it violates the assumptions like homogeneity and continuity.

(2) Miser : For a miser, every additional rupee gives him more and more pleasure.
So, when the stock of money increases, MU of money tends to rise.
However, the behavior of a miser is irrational. It violates the assumption of rationality.

(3) Addictions : It is said that, the level of intoxication increases for drunkard with every additional consumption of liquor. It may increase MU for him.
This condition is similar to most of the addictions.
Here again, the assumptions like rationality and continuity are violated.

(4) Power: It is an exception to the law of DMU because, when a person acquires power, his craze for power increases MU from power. As a person gets power, he desires to have more and more of it.
But, it violates the rationality, assumption.

(5) Money : Money is used as a medium of exchange. It helps to buy goods to satisfy human want. So MU of money increases with an increase in its stock.
MU of money never becomes zero. The law holds true to money too. MU of money declines slowly as its stock increases. So MU of money is more for poor than rich people.

(6) Reading : When a person reads more and more, he gets deeper and deeper knowledge so MU of reading tends to increase. Similarly the law does not hold true in case of music, dance, etc.
However, assumptions like continuity, homogeneity, etc. are violated.
The law of DMU is universal in nature. These cases are not real exceptions as they violate some assumptions.
So, it is said that, there are no real exceptions to the law of DMU.

Intect Questions

Try this (Textbook Page 8)

Make a list of 10 commodities which satisfy your wants.
Answer:
Book, pen, mobile, foot-wear, watch, umbrella, bag, dress, bed sheet, soap.

Try this (Textbook Page 8)

Make a list of 10 commodities which ( satisfy the wants of particular individuals performing specific activities. For example, A chalk has utility for a teacher.
Answer:

Try this (Textbook Page 10) :

Following are the various types of utility and their respective examples. Arrange the information in the form of pairs:
Answer:
Types of utility : Time utility, possession utility, service utility and place utility.
Examples :

Try this (Textbook Page 11)

Complete the following chart :
Answer:
Total Utility :

(a) Total Utility is the sum total of the individual utilities derived from the consumption of all units of good.
(b) Total Utility increases at a diminishing rate.
(c) At a point of satiety, Total Utility is maximum.
(d) Total Utility declines if consumption continues.
(e) Total Utility determines value-in-use of a commodity.
(f) Total Utility is always positive.

Marginal Utility :
(a) Marginal Utility is the addition made to the Total Utility from every additional unit consumed.
(b) Marginal Utility goes an diminishing.
(c) At a point of satiety, Marginal Utility = 0
(d) Marginal Utility becomes negative if consumption continues.
(e) Marginal Utility determines value-in­exchange of a commodity.
(f) Marginal Utility can be positive, zero or negative.

Try this (Textbook Page 14) :

Write an informative note on the paradox of values along with examples.
Answer:
The paradox of values –
The concept of value paradox is introduced by Adam Smith.
The term value has two meanings
(i) Value in use
(ii) Value in exchange
Some goods have greater value in use but the smaller value in exchange e.g. water.
However, some goods have smaller value in use but a greater value in exchange e.g. diamond.
So, the paradox of value is also called a water-diamond dilemma.
Greater value in use denotes high total utility whereas, greater value in exchange shows high marginal utility.
Thus, the concept paradox of value is very useful to understand the concepts of utility i.e., Total Utility & Marginal Utility.